Photo: EU Commission/FIS

EU Commission and Norway Reach Agreement on Svalbard Cod Quota for 2025 and Beyond

EUROPEAN UNION
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The European Commission and Norway have reached a significant agreement on several key fisheries issues, including the allocation of the Svalbard cod quota to the EU. Under the agreement, the EU will receive 2.8274% of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Svalbard cod in 2025 and beyond, allowing EU vessels to fish up to 9,217 tonnes in both Svalbard and international waters.

This agreement, which strengthens EU-Norway cooperation on fisheries management, is a direct result of the High-Level Dialogue initiated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The first meeting of this dialogue, co-chaired by European Commission Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, took place on July 15.

Executive Vice-President Šefčovič, responsible for the European Green Deal, commented: “Our joint efforts under the EU-Norway High-Level Dialogue have borne fruit. By fostering a spirit of constructive cooperation, we’ve been able to address complex fisheries issues and reach balanced, mutually beneficial solutions. While challenges remain in the sector, we will continue working step by step to resolve them.”

The issue arose after the UK's departure from the EU, when Norway set the Svalbard cod quota for the EU lower than the Union’s historical fishing rights, affecting the livelihoods of fishing communities in several EU Member States.

The agreement has been formalized through letters exchanged between Vice-President Šefčovič and Minister Eide. In these letters, the Commission also commits to supporting Norway’s proposal for a redfish quota in international waters of the Norwegian Sea, which will be addressed at the upcoming North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) meeting and subsequently implemented in EU regulations for 2025.

The European Commission remains committed to continued constructive cooperation with Norway, building on the measures outlined in these letters. The High-Level Dialogue has proven to be an effective platform for resolving shared fisheries concerns and will continue to play a key role in addressing future challenges.

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