EU, Greenland agree on new fisheries partnership

The European Union and the government of Greenland have concluded negotiations for a new sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA) and a new protocol that will strengthen their cooperation in the fisheries sector for the next four years with the possibility of a two-year extension.

The agreement will allow the EU fleet of 12 large-scale industrial trawlers to continue fishing in Greenland waters for a duration of four plus two years while continuing to contribute to the development of the fisheries sector in Greenland.

Fishing opportunities have been negotiated for the same species as in the current protocol: cod, redfish, Greenland halibut, northern prawn, capelin, and grenadier.

The new agreement complies with Greenland’s legislation and the management and scientific measures taken in the context of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Through the new SFPA, cooperation on monitoring, control, and surveillance on fishing activities will be further reinforced.

Each party will now initiate the necessary legislative procedures for the signature and conclusion of the new agreement and its implementing protocol.