Outcome of UK/EU/Norway negotiations

The trilateral fisheries negotiations between UK, the EU and Norway have concluded with quotas agreed for a number of shared stocks.

The record which was agreed on 16 March 2021 sets out Total Allowable Catch (TAC) positions and management measures for the North Sea stocks of: Whiting, Plaice, Saithe, Cod, Haddock and Herring. There are increases in Haddock and Whiting which are welcomed in light of the decreases in Saithe and Cod.  The National Cod Avoidance Plan, implemented in 2020 will continue throughout this year making a valuable contribution to the stock’s recovery.

As they do every year, the Scottish Government negotiating team prepares for a range of scenarios and deploys all of their knowledge and expertise in the actual negotiations. This year, they did so, not just as part of the UK negotiating team but with Scotland taking up the position of Joint Head of Delegation.

The value to Scotland of the negotiating success is £101.6 million, which is an increase of £9.5 million from last year.  The TAC changes are as follows:

• Whiting + 19.1%
• Plaice – 2.3%
• Saithe – 25%
• North Sea Cod – 10%
• Haddock + 20%
• North Sea Herring -7.4%

Negotiations continue, with bilaterals with EU and Norway in the coming weeks.

Background

• The UK has set a three-month catch limit for all UK vessels whilst negotiations with coastal states conclude (see determination document).
• As those are concluded, the UK will amend this document and set its annual Total Allowable Catch. There are two stocks where the UK has set six-month limits – mackerel and northern blue whiting – due to the seasonal nature of these fisheries.
• UK National North Sea Cod Avoidance Plan

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