Map of ICES Sub-areas and divisions, NE Atlantic

Norway, the EU, and the UK Seal a Crucial North Sea Pact for 2026

EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, December 08, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

December 2025. Following intense negotiations that extended from the autumn, Norway, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom (UK) have signed a key tripartite agreement defining fishing quotas and the management of shared stocks in the North Sea for the year 2026.

The pact establishes a framework for the sustainable management of vital species, reflecting the commitment of all three parties to scientific recommendations. Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, expressed her satisfaction:

"I am pleased that we have reached a fisheries agreement with the EU and the UK. This agreement means that we agree on quotas for the fish stocks we jointly manage in the North Sea and which are important for all three parties. The agreement will contribute to sustainable management," stated Næss.

Significant Reductions in Key Quotas

The 2026 agreement introduces major reductions in the total allowable catches (TACs) for several species, in line with conservation efforts and based on scientific assessments, such as those from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

• Cod:

  • A total quota of 14,034 tonnes has been agreed upon for all areas, representing a drastic 44% reduction compared to the 2025 quota.

  • The quota specifically allocated to the North Sea is 11,164 tonnes, with a quota for Norway of 1,898 tonnes.

  • The parties agreed to maintain and extend the closure of cod spawning areas in 2026 and to consider additional measures, such as closing other areas and using more selective fishing gear, to strengthen the protection of the species.

  • Setting cod quotas remains complex due to the division of the population into three sub-stocks, including the one west of Scotland.

    

• North Sea Herring:

  • The total quota has been set at 328,566 tonnes, a 20% decrease compared to 2025.

  • Norway's quota amounts to 91,013 tonnes.

  • The pact adopts a new, more sustainable management strategy for this stock.

These catch limits, known as Total Allowable Catches (TACs), have been established with the goal of achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), the highest level of catch that can be maintained indefinitely without compromising the health of the stock. Cooperation in monitoring, control, and surveillance between the EU, the UK, and Norway will also be maintained to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

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