United Kingdom and Norway - fisheries consultations: agreed record for 2024

Summary

1. A Delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) headed by Colin FAULKNER and a Norwegian Delegation, headed by Ms. Ann Kristin WESTBERG met in London on 10 November 2023 and 8 December 2023, and subsequently on 14 December 2023 by means of videoconference, to consult on mutual fisheries relations for 2024.

2.. The Delegations recalled the Fisheries Framework Agreement between the Parties, signed on 30 September 2020. They recalled the principles which underpin their close cooperation as set out in Article 1 of that agreement. They also recalled the Parties’ understanding of December 2021 about enhancing cooperation on fisheries in ICES areas I and II.  They further recalled their close cooperation in 2023 in international fisheries forums, including Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, the Food & Agriculture Organisation and beyond. They looked forward to deepening their dialogue further in 2024

3. The Delegations noted that the Fisheries Consultations between the United Kingdom, Norway and the European Union concluded on 8 December 2023.

4. The Delegations noted that the Agreed Record of Fisheries Consultations between the UK and Norway signed in December 2021, and the subsequent agreement in November 2022, marked the start of a new bilateral fisheries arrangement between Norway and the UK.  Both Delegations agreed on the successful implementation of the November 2022 agreement during 2023.

5. The Delegations recalled the fruitful and constructive discussions they had held in Svalbard in May 2023 as part of their first intersessional meeting and agreed on the considerable usefulness of such meetings.  Accordingly, they agreed to meet in May or June 2024 for the annual intersessional meeting, to ensure the successful implementation of this Agreed Record and to continue to deepen the strategic relationship between the Parties. The UK offered to host that meeting.

6. The Heads of Delegation agreed to recommend to their respective authorities the fishery arrangements for 2024 as outlined in this Agreed Record, including Tables 1 to 5.