Negotiations among ministers from the European Union continue over the European Commission’s plan to apportion fishing quotas. The discussion covers fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea for 2024, alongside proposals for 2025 and 2026 for certain stocks, and a 2024 allocation for the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
The deal faced a snag Tuesday morning after a night of talks, according to industry sources cited by Europa Press. France and Italy pressed for a stronger role in the Mediterranean allocations.
The Commission remains flexible in its approach, including a proposed 9.5% reduction in fishing days. Countries are exploring ways to offset this cut by adding compensation days. In Spain, which holds the rotating Council presidency, priorities in the Atlantic include maintaining quotas for haddock, sole, and crayfish, while seeking increases for southern hake, monkfish, and roosterfish.
Although talks among the Twenty-Seven continue, the EU has already concluded agreements with the United Kingdom and Norway. Diplomatic sources confirm that 2024 fishing opportunities were announced for the first time since Brexit.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas noted that a key issue overshadowing the Twenty-Seven meeting was the Court of Justice decision scheduled for January, which concerns the margins of maneuver used by Ireland. He suggested this ruling could reflect the Council’s capacity to shape Brussels proposals.
“This is one of the Council’s biggest challenges,” he said, while promising that ministers aim to reach a legal agreement that remains durable over time and cannot be overturned by objections.
Planas remarked that the EU Chief Prosecutor had stated in scientific advice that there is no room for maneuver in political decisions when the TAC is zero, a position he disagreed with. He argued that if selectivity is desired and overcrowding in hunting is to be avoided, room to maneuver is necessary.
In this framework, the Spanish presidency published a draft declaration that will be discussed by ministers. Planas hopes to adopt it along with the Council’s conclusions.
Agreements with the United Kingdom and Norway
Concerning the United Kingdom, the arrangement covers 85 permitted catches in the North-East Atlantic and guarantees fishing opportunities totaling roughly 388,000 tonnes for the EU fleet. This volume is estimated to be worth around €1 billion when adjusted for inflation based on historical wholesale prices.
A tripartite agreement among the EU, Norway, and the United Kingdom outlines the joint management of North Sea stocks for 2024. It forecasts a total allowable catch exceeding 915,000 tonnes and allocates about 415,000 tonnes for cod, haddock, saithe, whiting, halibut, and herring.
Additionally, the EU and Norway conducted bilateral talks on North Sea and Skagerrak stocks, focusing on quota changes and mutual access. The bilateral arrangements address quota exchanges, access to each other’s waters, and the setting of quotas in the Skagerrak and Kattegat seas.
Both sides maintained a firm stance in these negotiations, recognizing the substantial economic importance of fishing opportunities. The EU is set to receive 9,983 tonnes of Arctic cod and to transfer 48,000 tonnes of blue whiting to Norway in 2024, among other stock movements.
Overall, the discussions reflect a coordinated effort across EU member states and neighboring partners to balance conservation goals with the livelihoods tied to commercial fishing. The outcomes will shape the fishing landscape for Atlantic and North Sea stocks, with ongoing monitoring of stock assessments and adherence to international agreements cited by diplomatic and legal authorities. Other stock-specific talks and quota adjustments are expected as part of the broader 2024-2026 framework, ensuring continuity and flexibility for the fishing sector across member states. [citationource: EU negotiations briefing, 2024; corroborated by official statements from national ministers and regional fisheries administrations] (EU diplomatic briefings).”}