EU and Norway agree North Sea TACs

Following a week long discussion, Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for the shared stocks in the North Sea were established. The arrangement sees increases in North Sea catch limits of 5% for cod, 7% for haddock and 15% for plaice compared to 2014. However, the TACs for saithe and whiting have been reduced by 15%, with a small reduction for herring in the same area.

European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella welcomed the announcement. “This arrangement grants both EU and Norwegian fishermen valuable access to fish stocks, provides much needed stability to our fisheries sector, and strengthens our important relationship with Norway on fisheries”, he said.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said, “Pragmatic decisions were made at these negotiations and the increase in North Sea cod in particular recognises the realities of managing complex mixed fisheries and the need for sensible balances.”

The conclusion of these EU/Norway negotiations now sets the scene for final decision-making for a range of other stocks at the European Fish Council meeting in Brussels commencing on 15 December.

North Sea TACs and quotas for the main EU- Norway shared species 2014 - 2015 (tonnes):