05/12/11
EU Norway Agreement – Brief Summary of Outcomes
North Sea Joint Stocks
Cod -1% (plus up to 12% extra for vessels in the Catch Quota scheme)
Haddock +15%
Whiting +15%
Saithe -15%
Plaice +15%
All in line with long term management plans.
Catch Quotas
The Catch Quota scheme will have up to 12% cod quota over and above the TAC for 2012 (the same percentage as last year). Norway put up strong resistance and argued that the quota should be sourced from within the EU’s allocation. This was rejected by the EU which emphasised the role of the scheme in demonstrably reducing discards. There has been no extension to other stocks. The EU has proposed a joint seminar on Fully Documented Fisheries next year.
North Sea Herring
A final TAC of 405,000t was agreed along with a commitment to review the Long Term Management Plan following the ICES benchmark next year. This TAC is within the range of advice offered by ICES but less than the MSY level.
Long Term Management Plans
Norway will host a seminar on long term management plans, probably in early May, to look at general principles but also specific plans that are due for review (herring, cod, haddock and saithe).
Transfers
- An additional 400t transfer of whiting to the EU was agreed.
- There was a reduction in the saithe transfer to Norway larger than the TAC reduction. The transfer has been split between the North Sea and the West of Scotland (VIa) as saithe utilisation is lower in VIa.
- North East Arctic Cod was secured but at a considerably lower than Norway is obliged to offer under the EEA agreement
- The Blue Whiting transfer at 30,000t is at a lower percentage than in previous years and significantly lower than Norway wanted.
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