EU and Norway reach an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2026

The EU and Norway concluded negotiations on the management of shared stocks in the Skagerrak and Kattegat, quota exchanges, and reciprocal access to waters.

The EU and Norway concluded a balanced exchange of fishing opportunities of high economic value. Among other stocks, the EU will receive 9, 144 tonnes of Arctic cod for 2026 and will transfer 47,905 tonnesof blue whiting to Norway. These agreements secure key fishing opportunities for 2026, as well as predictability and access for EU fleets operating in Norwegian waters, including the North Sea and Skagerrak.

The EU and Norway also reconfirmed stable reciprocal access to waters of the North Sea, allowing both EU and Norwegian fishers to maintain key fishing activities. The agreement also secures continued access to fishing opportunities for the Swedish fishery in Norwegian waters of the North Sea.

The EU and Norway agreed catch limits for cod, haddock, plaice and whiting in the Skagerrak. Both the EU and Norway agreed to continue restrictions on herring catches in the Skagerrak to safeguard the recovery of the western Baltic herring stock, which mixes with the North Sea herring stock. Future plans to protect specific areas will further support the recovery of these fish populations.

The EU and Norway also started to discuss the revision and improvement of monitoring, control, and surveillance arrangements, with the aim of enhancing cooperation.

Next steps

The catch limits and quotas agreed between the EU and Norway will be incorporated into the fishing opportunities regulation for 2026.

More information