UK Secures Agreement for Ongoing Access to Norwegian Fishing Waters

The UK government has announced on Friday, December 15, that fishermen will maintain their ability to fish in Norwegian North Sea waters for key stocks such as cod, haddock, and hake, following the conclusion of the annual fisheries negotiations.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, there have been new opportunities as an independent coastal state, enabling the country to negotiate agreements that better serve the interests of its fishing industry.

The new arrangements reinforce the longstanding partnership between the UK and Norway and are designed to support a sustainable and profitable fishing sector, ensuring continuity for the industry.

In the coming year, the UK fishing industry will gain:

• Access to 30,000 tonnes of whitefish like cod, haddock, and hake in Norwegian waters in the North Sea.
• Reciprocal access to up to 20,000 tonnes of herring in both countries’ waters.
• Quota transfers for vital UK stocks, including anglerfish and Arctic species.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer stated:

Our departure from the EU has given us the unique opportunity to embrace post-Brexit freedoms, allowing us to negotiate agreements and implement broader fisheries management measures that bolster the profitability and sustainability of our fishing industry.

During this year’s negotiations, we secured access to fish stocks valued at £970 million, and the agreements with Norway announced today will deliver crucial stability and continuity, enabling our fishermen to access essential North Sea stocks such as cod, haddock, and hake.

This agreement underscores the commitment from both sides to manage fisheries in a sustainable manner and ensure the long-term health of fish stocks in the North Sea.

The announcement comes after successful bilateral and trilateral discussions, which resulted in the UK fishing sector gaining access to 420,000 tonnes of fish worth approximately £700 million.