The European Commission has confirmed that Norway and the EU have reached a new agreement on fisheries in the North East Arctic, namely the Arctic International Fisheries Centre Zones 1 and 2, covering the waters around Svalbard and the international waters of the Barents Sea.  
   
The agreement ensures sustainable fishing in the area while also providing certainty for EU fleets to fish in the area.  
   
“The agreement with Norway reflects our shared commitment to sustainable fishing and highlights what can be achieved when addressing issues of common concern”, said Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for environment, Oceans and Fisheries, “and we look forward to continuing and further strengthening our joint efforts in the fisheries sector. ”  
By mutual agreement, EU fleets will be able to fish cod in the waters around Svalbard, Norway and the EU will continue to legislate quotas for EU vessels fishing in Svalbard waters.
   
The agreement will also strengthen cooperative measures to ensure sustainable fisheries catches in the North-East Arctic, including cod, redfish, haddock and Greenland halibut.  The two sides will now proceed to decide on the next steps for implementation, the agreement said.  
   
The agreement allows the EU to set a final Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 19,636 tonnes for Arctic cod in an amendment to the Fishing Opportunities Regulation in 2022, replacing the provisional TAC of 4,500 tonnes that expired on 30 April.