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London Britain has come to an agreement with Norway and the European Union over how to divide up fish stocks in the North Sea next year.
While fishing groups have welcomed the accord, catch-sector bosses say it does nothing to resolve issues around access to cod-rich Norwegian waters after bilateral talks in the spring between London and Oslo to agree reciprocal rights this year collapsed.
Ministers say they “remain optimistic” a deal with Norway and the Faroe Islands for 2022 can be struck before January 1.
The announcement of a trilateral agreement between Britain, Brussels and Norway on catch limits means that all three know what share - known as total allowable catch - of six jointly-managed fish stocks they can take from the North Sea in 2022.
The UK Government said the agreed catch levels will provide opportunities estimated to be worth around 190 million pounds (252 million dollars) to the fishing industry, based on historic landing prices, and argued it will provide certainty heading into the new year.
The deal will see the UK cod quota rolled over, with haddock up 5 per cent, herring rising by a fifth, while whiting will increase by a quarter compared to the 2021 allocation.
However, plaice will see a 12 per cent reduction in allowed catch and saithe will be down by 24 per cent on last year. Industry insiders said the UK quota for plaice is so large, however, that the reduction is unlikely to have a detrimental financial impact.
Fisheries minister Victoria Prentis said: “We are confident that this agreement has struck a balance that will benefit both our fishing industry and ensure our marine environment is healthy and viable long into the future.” (dpa)
While fishing groups have welcomed the accord, catch-sector bosses say it does nothing to resolve issues around access to cod-rich Norwegian waters after bilateral talks in the spring between London and Oslo to agree reciprocal rights this year collapsed.
Ministers say they “remain optimistic” a deal with Norway and the Faroe Islands for 2022 can be struck before January 1.
The announcement of a trilateral agreement between Britain, Brussels and Norway on catch limits means that all three know what share - known as total allowable catch - of six jointly-managed fish stocks they can take from the North Sea in 2022.
The UK Government said the agreed catch levels will provide opportunities estimated to be worth around 190 million pounds (252 million dollars) to the fishing industry, based on historic landing prices, and argued it will provide certainty heading into the new year.
The deal will see the UK cod quota rolled over, with haddock up 5 per cent, herring rising by a fifth, while whiting will increase by a quarter compared to the 2021 allocation.
However, plaice will see a 12 per cent reduction in allowed catch and saithe will be down by 24 per cent on last year. Industry insiders said the UK quota for plaice is so large, however, that the reduction is unlikely to have a detrimental financial impact.
Fisheries minister Victoria Prentis said: “We are confident that this agreement has struck a balance that will benefit both our fishing industry and ensure our marine environment is healthy and viable long into the future.” (dpa)
