European Union and Norway reach agreement on bilateral fisheries arrangements for 2014 - Main contents

European Commission

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 12 March 2014

European Union and Norway reach agreement on bilateral fisheries arrangements for 2014

A new arrangement on the management of shared fish stocks in the North Sea was concluded today in London between the European Union and Norway for 2014. Total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for the shared stocks in the North Sea were established and an agreement was also reached on the exchange of reciprocal fishing possibilities in each other's waters.

This arrangement involves an increase of 5% in the TAC for North Sea cod and 15% for North Sea plaice compared to 2013. However, the TACs for North Sea haddock, saithe and whiting have been reduced by 15% with the herring TAC in the same area being reduced by 2%.

Following the arrangement on mackerel among the three Coastal States (EU, Faroe Islands and Norway), which was also signed in London today, the EU quota for mackerel in 2014 amounts to 611,205 tonnes.

Commissioner Maria Damanaki said: “I very much welcome this agreement, which will allow fishermen from both the European Union and Norway to have valuable access to fish stocks. This agreement very much strengthens the mutual relationship in fisheries between the European Union and Norway.”

Background

TACs and quotas for the main joint stocks for the EU in 2013 and 2014 (in tonnes)

2013

2014

TAC

EU quota

TAC

EU quota

Cod

26,475

21,974

27,799

23,073

Haddock

45,041

34,681

38,284

32,079

Saithe

91,220

43,486

77,536

36,917

Whiting

18,932

17,039

16,092

15,233

Plaice

97,070

90,975

111,631

104,117

Herring

478,000

339,380

470,037

333,726

Contacts :

Lone Mikkelsen (+32 2 296 05 67)