Norway has entered into a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom for 2024, which includes mutual access to fish in each other's economic zones, as well as an exchange of fishing quotas.
Norway's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Cecilie Myrseth met her British counterpart Mark Spencer, UK Minister of State for Food, Farming, and Fisheries, this winter during Myrseth's official visit to London.
"The United Kingdom is a key partner for Norway when it comes to cooperation on fisheries and ocean policy. The negotiations this year have also taken place in an open and constructive tone, confirming that our bilateral cooperation is close and strong," said Myrseth, in a Norwegian language statement.
In the agreement for 2024, the parties have maintained mutual access to fish demersal species in each other's zone at 30,000 tons, which corresponds to the level for 2023. The details on this will be determined by Norwegian regulations, the Ministry said.
The deal also sees Norway granted access to fish 20,000 tons of North Sea herring in the British zone - also marking a continuation of the 2023 level.
Additionally, the parties have agreed on a limited quota exchange. The quotas that Norway acquires through the exchange are particularly aimed at preserving what the Ministry refers to as "traditional Norwegian fishing" in the British zone west of Scotland.
Meanwhile, in the British zone, Norway has exchanged 600 tons of Greenland halibut, 400 tons of pollock, 900 tons of tusk, and 450 tons of cusk.
The United Kingdom has received quotas for northeast Arctic cod, as well as monkfish and some blue ling in the North Sea.
The deal follows three other fishing agreements successfully concluded by Norway in December.
Norway reached a bilateral agreement with the EU last week, as well as a trilateral agreement with the EU and UK on the management of North Sea cod and herring. Norway also reached agreement with the Faroe Islands on fishing and quota exchanges last week.
