Brussels, 02/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - Following the debates at the joint EU-Norway technical working group on the Skagerrak, Denmark and Sweden have introduced technical measures that are harmonised with those of Norway and apply to their fishing vessels in this zone. In reply to a written question from Isabelle Thomas (S&D, France) on reciprocal access to fishing throughout the Skagerrak, Fisheries Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, explained, “With the new regional approach of the common fisheries policy, it is hoped to introduce those same measures for all EU fisheries in the area”.
Isabelle Thomas had underlined the importance of introducing these rules in the Skagerrak and pointed out that “the rules enforced throughout the Skagerrak area will have to be non-discriminatory, and checks on compliance with them fair, in order to ensure that they are accepted and observed by all parties”.
The Commissioner explained that within the Skagerrak area, the rules applied by the European Union, on the one hand, and Norway, on the other, differ but that, “in the case of pelagic species, the differences are not substantial”. A regulation proposed by the Commission for the Skagerrak area, designed to bring about harmonisation in the area, which took account of the landing obligation within the EU, as well as covering technical measures, could not be agreed in terms acceptable by Norway. Consequently, the proposal was withdrawn, explained the Commission (see EUROPE 11127). The Commission concluded that the EU-Norway technical working group on Skagerrak would meet throughout 2015 with a view to addressing the type of issues raised by Thomas. (LC)