Republished with full copyright permissions from The San Francisco Press.

Late on Friday, December 8th, the European Union sealed crucial fishing agreements with Norway and the United Kingdom for the year 2024. These agreements signify a significant step in ensuring sustainable fisheries management and providing stability for the respective fleets and operators.

The agreement with the UK encompasses 85 total allowable catches in the Northeast Atlantic, providing the EU fleet with access to nearly 388,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities, valued at approximately €1 billion. The negotiation process, conducted under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, involved comprehensive discussions and consultations, guided by the best available scientific advice regarding the status of fish stocks.

Underlining the EU’s commitment to sustainable fisheries, the agreement aims to contribute to the joint management of fish stocks while considering socio-economic factors to prevent choke situations that could lead to premature fishery closures. Furthermore, a trilateral arrangement with Norway and the UK on jointly managed fisheries stocks in the North Sea for 2024 establishes a framework for the total allowable catches of over 915,000 tonnes, including a substantial EU quota of almost 415,000 tonnes.

Notably, the EU and Norway concluded bilateral consultations for shared stocks in the North Sea and Skagerrak, encompassing the exchange of quotas, mutual access to fishing in each other’s waters, and collaborative quota setting in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. These arrangements represent a crucial balance of exchanges of fishing opportunities, reflecting the mutual economic interests of both sides.

The agreed catch limits will now be integrated into the Fishing Opportunities Regulation for 2024. This pivotal development was addressed during the ongoing AGRIFISH Council meeting, emphasizing the ongoing commitment of the EU to sustainable fisheries management and collaborative partnerships with neighboring countries.