On Thursday 12 December, the European Union and Greenland officially signed the renewed protocol implementing the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement.
Covering the next six years (2025-2030), this agreement will allow EU vessels to fish in Greenland for key species such as cod, redfish and shrimp. It reinforces the EU’s and Greenland’s shared commitment to sustainable fisheries and mutual economic progress, as well as the continuation of fruitful collaboration on fisheries governance (see EUROPE 13408/18).
The adjustments to catches are based on scientific advice and include increases in cod and redfish quotas and necessary reductions in western halibut and eastern shrimp quotas.
The EU’s annual contribution increases to €17.3 million, including €3.2 million for sectoral aid to strengthen fisheries in Greenland.
The new protocol will apply provisionally from the date of its signature by the parties and will therefore authorise fishing activities by EU vessels in Greenlandic waters from 13 December. It will enter into force as soon as both parties have completed the ratification process, which for the EU implies approval from the European Parliament.
Baltic Sea. Furthermore, on Friday 13 December, the European Commission announced that the EU had adopted legislation (https://aeur.eu/f/esm ) intended to make flatfish fisheries in the Baltic Sea more selective by reducing incidental catches of cod through the use of more selective gear. Targeted fishery of cod in the Baltic Sea is closed. As long as this closure is in force, operators in the main distribution area for cod stocks in the western and eastern Baltic will have to use more selective gear. The aim of the new rules is to reduce incidental catches of cod by at least 55% in ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) subdivisions 22 to 26. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)