The EU and Norway have agreed on closer collaboration in the monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries. The new agreement between the EU and Norway will not only facilitate the management of shared fish stocks, but also make a major contribution to both parties' fight against illegal fishing.
19/02/2008 :: The EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, commented:
"Illegal fishing activities are one of the major challenges facing both Norway and the European Union. By joining forces, we increase our capacity to combat them. We have a long history of cooperation with Norway, and this development is further proof of our joint commitment to ensuring sustainable fisheries".
Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Helga Pedersen, also welcomes the agreement:
" Collaboration between Norway, the EU, and EU member states makes the fight against illegal fishing practices more effective. This agreement paves the way for a more thorough-going cooperation between the partners".
Under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, control and enforcement remain the responsibility of the EU Member States, and a number of Member States have bilateral cooperation arrangements with Norway in this field. The purpose of the agreement is therefore to establish more unified joint guidelines for such arrangements. This should facilitate a more practical approach to the control of both the Norwegian and EU fishing fleets within the territorial waters of both partners to the agreement.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs