Brussels, 01/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Greenland recently reached agreement on a new fisheries protocol which will come into force on 1 January 2016 for a period of five years.
The protocol will ensure the continuity of fishing activities for EU vessels in line with the reformed common fisheries policy and enhance sustainable fishing based on quotas established according to the best scientific advice.
As a counterpart for access to fishing opportunities allocated to EU vessels, the EU will pay Greenland €17.8 million from the EU budget (a slight decrease in access payments). The EU can accept additional and new fishing opportunities if these are offered by Greenland throughout the period of the protocol.
The agreement with Greenland is the third most important for the EU in terms of its economic value. It provides for: 1,800 tonnes of cod, 4,200 tonnes of redfish, 7,700 tonnes of halibut, 7,700 tonnes of Northern prawn, 20,000 tonnes of capelin, 200 tonnes of grenadier and a by-catch of 1,126 tonnes. (Lionel Changeur)