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'The Minister for Foreign Affairs should not have accepted an agreement with such a result - and under such conditions', Fiskebåt
Fiskebåt Voices Discontent with EU Fisheries Agreement
NORWAY
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 10:00 (GMT + 9)
Fiskebåt, the Norwegian Ocean-Going Fishing Fleet Association, has expressed dissatisfaction with the recently concluded fisheries management and quota agreement between Norway and the EU, following Brexit.
Representing the interests of Norway's deep-sea fishing vessels and advocating for sustainable, balanced fisheries management, Fiskebåt plays a critical role in both national and international policy discussions regarding fishery management, quotas, and regulatory practices across Norwegian and European waters.
 Audun Maråk, Director of Fiskebåt, has openly criticized the new agreement, stating that it weakens Norway's standing while giving too many concessions to the EU.
"For years, successive Norwegian foreign ministers have struggled to resolve challenging fisheries issues, and unfortunately, Norway has consistently come out on the losing side," Maråk remarked. "While I feared an even worse outcome this time, credit is due to the Minister of Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade and Fisheries for preventing that."
Concessions Under Pressure from the EU
The agreement stipulates that the EU must adhere to Norway's set cod quotas in the Svalbard zone and Smutthullet, an area between Norway and Svalbard. The government has presented this as a strengthening of cod protection in the Barents Sea. However, Maråk has criticized the concessions Norway made in response to pressure from the EU.
"Under threats of an EU boycott, the foreign minister capitulated. The EU secured increased cod quotas and is exempt from environmental restrictions like the ban on collection bags, leaving Norwegian fishermen as the losers in this deal," Maråk stated.
He contends that Norway should have taken a firmer stance in negotiations, even suggesting that Norway warn the EU of potential sanctions affecting its energy supply. Maråk fears this agreement may embolden the EU to apply similar pressure in future negotiations over fisheries, potentially putting Norway's fishing industry at risk.
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