Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU Commission and Norway reach agreement on EU quota of Svalbard cod for 2025 and beyond.
The European Commission and Norway have reached an arrangement on several outstanding matters in the area of fisheries, including a quota of Svalbard cod to the EU at the level of 2,8274% of the total permitted catch (TAC) for the next and the following years. This will let EU vessels fish the quota – compared to 9 217 tonnes in 2025 – in both Svalbard and international waters.
What is the EU-Norway High-Level Dialogue’s role in this agreement?
As reported by the EU Commission, the arrangement marking an important stage in reinforcing collaboration on fisheries management is an outgrowth of the newly established High-Level Dialogue at the initiative of President von der Leyen and Norwegian Prime Minister Støre, with the first session co-chaired by Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide on 15 July.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice-President in charge of the European Green Deal, Maroš Šefčovič, stated: “Our joint work under the EU-Norway High-Level Dialogue has paid off. By infiltrating constructive dynamism into our talks – to reach balanced, mutually beneficial solutions – we have managed to handle some of the difficult issues in the area of fisheries. Challenges remain between the EU and Norway in the fisheries sector. They need to be addressed in this spirit, step by step.”
Why was the Svalbard cod quota a contentious issue?
The matter arose after the UK had exited the EU and Norway’s subsequent conclusion to set a quota of Svalbard cod for the EU below the Union’s historical fishing rights – thus impacting the livelihood of fisheries communities in several Member States. Today’s arrangement has been confirmed through two notes between Executive Vice-President Šefčovič and Minister Eide.
What does the EU’s commitment to Norway entail for fisheries?
As per the letters, the Commission is dedicated to supporting a proposal by Norway on a quota of redfish in international waters in the Norwegian Sea. This is to be assumed by the upcoming North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), followed by EU regulations in 2025.
The European Commission states that it stands ready to continue the constructive partnership with Norway based on the criteria outlined in the two letters. This includes the usage of the High-Level Dialogue that has established value in finding a way forward on matters of shared concern.
