Brussels, 28/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 25 October, the European Commission welcomed the completion of negotiations on a new agreement between the European Union and Norway on reciprocal access to fishing in the waters of the Skagerrak.
This agreement, which replaces the previous agreement dating from 1966 between Denmark, Sweden and Norway, will allow these countries to keep in place reciprocal access for their vessels to the waters of each of the parties of the defined zone and to ensure the continuity of their fishing activities in this area of the Skagerrak. Other joint work is under way on major selectivity measures in the Skagerrak zone.
Maria Damanaki, the European Commissioner for Fisheries, hailed this as an excellent example of the improved cooperation between the European Union and Norway on fishing in the Skagerrak. “This agreement is of vital importance to fishermen from both Denmark and Sweden, as well as from Norway, who have traditionally conducted fisheries in this limited area”, she added.
The new agreement, negotiations for which were finalised in London on 24 October, lays down control measures which respect the principles of the jurisdiction of the coastal state, whilst keeping in place the same conditions as those currently in force in the defined area of the Skagerrak and the Kattegat.
Fishing activities will be subject to management and conservation measures laid down jointly or individually by the parties, including control measures taken by the coastal state in question. (LC/transl.fl)