After seven long years of negotiations, the coastal states for the blue whiting stock in the North Atlantic, the Faroes, EU, Norway and Iceland, have reached an agreement in principle on an allocation key for this important stock. Based on a TAC (Total Allowable Catch) of 2 million tons in 2006, the key would give 26.125% to the Faroes, 30.5 % to the EU, 25.745% to Norway and 17.65% to Iceland. A complete package of management measures, including a multi-year plan to reduce total catches to a sustainable level, remains to be finalised. Further discussions are also expected on outstanding bilateral issues related to access.
Breakthrough in blue whiting negotiations
After seven long years of negotiations, the coastal states for the blue whiting stock in the North Atlantic, the Faroes, EU, Norway and Iceland, have reached an agreement in principle on an allocation key for this important stock. Based on a TAC (Total Allowable Catch) of 2 million tons in 2006, the key would give 26.125% to the Faroes, 30.5 % to the EU, 25.745% to Norway and 17.65% to Iceland. A complete package of management measures, including a multi-year plan to reduce total catches to a sustainable level, remains to be finalised. Further discussions are also expected on outstanding bilateral issues related to access.
Minister of Fisheries, Bjørn Kalsø, welcomed the progress made during the meeting in Copenhagen this week.
“It seems we are now seriously close to a conclusion of these long and difficult negotiations. The allocation key hammered out in Copenhagen is definitely a significant breakthrough. As a major stakeholder in the blue whiting stock, the Faroes have moved a long way from our original claim for a share of this stock in order to achieve this progress.” said Mr Kalsø
“It is crucial that the very delicate balance we now have is not upset at the last minute by any outstanding issues. So while I am optimistic that we can finalise a full package of management measures by the end of the year, it is still necessary to stress that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,” said Mr Kalsø.