The UK has today (16 March 2021) reached agreement with
Norway and the European Union on catch limits in 2021 for
six jointly-managed fish stocks in the North Sea.
The agreement promotes the sustainable management and
long-term viability of cod, haddock, plaice, whiting,
herring, and saithe stocks in the North Sea. The catch
levels agreed for 2021 are worth over £184 million to the
UK fishing industry.
This is the first time the UK has participated in the talks
as an independent coastal State. Throughout negotiations
the UK has pressed for catch limits - known as total
allowable catches - to be set sustainably to ensure the
long-term future of the fisheries industry.
Fisheries Minister said:
Today we successfully concluded the first trilateral
fisheries negotiations between the UK, EU and Norway.
As an independent coastal state we are committed to
managing our fisheries sustainably, to the benefit of the
fishing industry across the UK and our marine
environment, now and in the years to come.
UK Government Minister for Scotland said:
For the first time in decades we have concluded our first
trilateral negotiations with the EU and Norway as an
independent coastal state.
The outcome represents an increase in the total allowable
catch of certain key stocks for Scotland – such as
Haddock and Whiting.
Agreements have also been made which safeguard the
long-term viability of some other key stocks such as cod.
We remain committed to supporting the industry and being
a champion for our coastal communities on the world
stage.
Of the stocks jointly-managed with the EU and Norway, five
out of six have been set in line with or lower than the
catch level advised by ICES, the International Council for
the Exploration of the Sea. This results in catch
reductions for North Sea cod (-10%), plaice (-2%), saithe
(-25%) and herring (-7.4%) compared with 2020, but
increases in haddock (+20%) and whiting (+19%).
The agreed catch limit for haddock is well within the
sustainable limits advised by the scientific body ICES.
This will encourage the recovery of other key stocks in the
North Sea mixed fishery.
North Sea cod will be subject to a slightly smaller
reduction than the -16.5% recommended by ICES. The three
parties supported this approach as it would allow the stock
to recover at a similar pace to that set out in the
scientific advice. Furthermore, the catch limit is
accompanied by the UK’s ongoing cod avoidance
plan which applies to all vessels in UK waters. The
plan establishes measures to support the long-term recovery
of the stock in UK waters, these include ‘real-time
closures’ to protect high abundances of cod and selective
fishing gear.
The UK Government has worked closely throughout the
negotiations with the Scottish Government and other
administrations to reach this consensus.
This trilateral agreement marks the conclusion of the first
in a series of annual fisheries negotiations. Bilateral
negotiations are underway with the EU, Faroes Islands and
Norway to confirm access arrangements and quota exchanges,
where applicable.
