EU and Norway Agree Fishing Opportunities for North Sea in 2013

The total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for the shared stocks in the North Sea were set and an agreement on the exchange of reciprocal fishing possibilities in each other's waters was also reached.

Following the positive developments of the stock situation, the agreement involves increases in TACs for many of the important stocks compared to 2012, such as 15 per cent for North Sea Haddock, 15 per cent for North Sea Saithe, 11 per cent for North Sea Whiting, 15 per cent for North Sea Plaice, and 18 per cent for North Sea Herring.

Furthermore, it was possible to keep the TAC for North Sea cod at the same level as in 2012. In the absence of agreement with Iceland and the Faroe Islands, a catch limit for mackerel, which follows the scientific recommendations, was set. The EU quota for mackerel in 2013 amounts to 336.285 tonnes.

On the issue of sustainable management of mackerel fishery in the framework of the Coastal States negotiations, Commissioner Damanaki said: "The Commission is now closely examining the situation and will decide on next steps with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of the mackerel fishery".

The Norwegian Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Minister, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, also commented: "I am pleased that we have agreed with the EU on fisheries agreement for 2013. The EU is an important partner for us in the fishing industry, and we have jointly taken new steps to ensure proper management of our common resources in the North Sea and Skagerrak."