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EU/Norway Agreement: reciprocal access to fishing in the Skagerrak for vessels flying the flag of Denmark, Norway and Sweden

2016/0192(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Norway on reciprocal access to fishing in the Skagerrak for vessels flying the flag of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2017/3 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway on reciprocal access to fishing in the Skagerrak for vessels flying the flag of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

CONTENT: under this Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and Norway on reciprocal access to fishing in the Skagerrak for vessels flying the flag of Denmark, Norway and Sweden is approved on behalf of the Union. The Agreement was signed on 15 January 2015, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

This Agreement applies to an area in the Skagerrak bounded on the west by a straight line running through the Hanstholm lighthouse and the Lindesnes lighthouse and on the south by a straight line running through the Skagen lighthouse and the Tistlarna lighthouse, within those parts of the territorial sea and adjacent areas of fisheries jurisdiction of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, that extend beyond four nautical miles (1 nautical mile = 1 852 metres) from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

The new Agreement:

  • maintains the exclusive access granted to vessels from Denmark, Norway and Sweden to each other's waters outside 4 nautical miles from the baselines;
  • ensures continued reciprocal access for the two Member States and Norway to the respective waters of the other Parties in the Skagerrak area, whilst at the same time, ensuring sound conservation and management measures for fisheries in the area;
  • allows for control measures in harmony with the principles of normal Coastal State jurisdiction, as is already the case for fisheries in the North Sea.

This Agreement shall remain in force until 1 January 2022. In the event of the Agreement not being terminated by either Party through notice of termination given at least one year before the expiry of that period, it shall remain in force for additional periods of six years duration thereafter, provided that notice of termination has not been given at least one year before the expiry of any such six years period.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 19.12.2016.