"This continuation of the management regime contributes to stability for the fishing industry at a time when quotas are decreasing on several important fish stocks," said Norway's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss.
Photo: Fiskebåt
Norway and Russia have reached a crucial fisheries agreement for 2025 through digital negotiations, focusing on sustainable management of fish stocks in the Barents Sea.
The deal, Norway's largest and most important bilateral fisheries agreement, is seen as vital for preserving key fish stocks, and ensures the continuation of collaborative efforts between the two nations despite ongoing geopolitical tensions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Norway's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, said.
"It is good that we have entered into a fisheries agreement with Russia, despite the fact that this year we are also in an extraordinary situation," said Sivertsen Næss.
"The agreement lays the foundation for long-term and sustainable marine management in the northern areas, and is crucial for us to be able to look after the cod population and the other species in the Barents Sea," she added.
"This continuation of the management regime contributes to stability for the fishing industry at a time when quotas are decreasing on several important fish stocks. The cod quota for 2025 is the lowest since 1991, and that illustrates the seriousness of the situation. The quota has been sharply reduced because we want to stop the negative stock development," Sivertsen Næss explained.
The two countries have agreed that in 2025, the total quota for North-East Arctic cod will be 340,000 tonnes, marking a 25% reduction from this year's allowance. Norway will hold 163,436 tonnes of this quota.
Haddock and blue halibut quotas have also been decreased, with haddock set at 130,000 tonnes and blue halibut at 19,000 tonnes, down by 2,250 tonnes from 2024. The capelin fishery will remain closed in 2025 to protect stock levels.
A joint Norwegian-Russian research program for 2025 will continue to assess and enhance management strategies, the Norwegian Minister confirmed. This program, developed by a bilateral working group, adheres to internationally recognized methodologies for stock assessment.
The agreement was welcomed by the Norwegian fishing industry organization Fiskebåt.
"The quotas are part of sustainable management of the stocks. It is important that we have good control over the take of cod, haddock and halibut in the Barents Sea, so that the stocks can recover and the quotas can increase again," said Fiskebåt chairman, Christian Halstensen.
