A deal has now been concluded for Scotland’s valuable fishing sector. Sadly 2022 also saw the end of Orkney’s active involvement in the white fish industry.

A European Union Delegation headed by Mr Erik LINDEBO, a Norwegian Delegation headed by Ms Ann Kristin WESTBERG and a United Kingdom Delegation headed by Mr Colin FAULKNER met in the period from 3rd to 4th November in Oslo, from 21st to 24th November in Brussels, and on 2nd and 6th December via videoconference, to consult on mutual fisheries relations including the management of shared stocks for 2023.

Agreed record of fisheries consultations between the European Union, Norway and the United Kingdom for 2023

The agreement between the UK, the EU and Norway is for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and management measures for North Sea cod, haddock, whiting, saithe, plaice and herring.

The Scottish Government has said that the value to Scotland of the trilateral deal is estimated to be £128m, up from £97m last year.

The TACs were set in line with advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), equating to the following tonnage and changes compared with the catch limits set for 2022:

Rural Affairs Secretary in the Scottish Government Mairi Gougeon said:

“It is good to see the action that has been taken to protect North Sea stocks in recent years paying off, leading the way to increased access for Scotland’s fishers.

“These stocks are of key commercial importance to Scotland and the increase in cod is a result of Scottish fishers’ efforts on recovery.

“The success of those efforts is reflected in the latest scientific advice, which has permitted significantly greater catches than last year.

“That is good news for Scotland’s fishers, who will have access to considerably greater whitefish quotas this year, with a positive economic effect for our fishing communities.”

Click on this link to access more information: DEFRA, Fisheries