Norway, Russia reach agreement on fisheries
After record-long negotiations, the two sides agree on next year's catch quotas in the Barents Sea.
"The total quota for Northeast Arctic cod in 2026 is set at 285,000 tonnes, a reduction of 16 percent compared to this year’s quota", the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries reports after negotiations with Russia's Fishery Agency resulted in an agreement.
"This quota level will significantly reduce fishing pressure from 2025 to 2026," the ministry explains.
The cod quota for 2026 is the lowest since 1991.
While cod quotas are down, haddock quotas are up. The total quota for haddock is set at 153,293 tonnes for 2026, an increase of 18 percent compared to the current year.
Norway's Minister of Fisheries Marianne Sivertsen Næss admits that the talks have been tough.
“This year’s negotiations have been challenging," she says in a statement.
"The listing of two Russian fishing companies has influenced the talks, but I am pleased that despite this we have reached an agreement that will contribute to sustainable management of the important fisheries resources in the north,” she added.
According to Russian sources involved in the talks the agreement does not include any easing of Norway's sanctions against the Russian fishery companies Norebo and Murman Seafood.
The Russian side previously argued that the sanctions constitute a violation of the Norwegian-Russian fishery agreement of 1976.
Norway adopted the sanctions on July 7, about three weeks after the restrictive measures were introduced by the EU. The Russian foreign ministry subsequently summoned Norway's chargé d'affaires.
"The Norwegian side was informed that these unfriendly measures constitute a gross violation of bilateral agreements in the field of fisheries," a Russian statement reads.
Norway and Russia have over the past 50 years successfully managed to cooperate about quotas in the Barents Sea. The bilateral agreements have been crucial for the sustainable management of the regional fish stocks.
The quota advice was been prepared by a bilateral working group between the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) and the Russian research institute VNIRO. The group follow internationally recognised methodology and frameworks for stock assessment and advice. The parties also agreed on a joint Norwegian-Russian research program for 2026, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries reports.
