For haddock, the quota for 2025 is set at 130,000 tonnes, with Norway allocated 65,468 tonnes. The quota for blue halibut, set at 19,000 tonnes, has also decreased by 2,250 tonnes from 2024, with Norway’s share at 9,675 tonnes. The proboscis, or “beaked redfish,” quota stands at 67,191 tonnes, of which Norway will receive 46,378 tonnes. Importantly, there will be no capelin fishing in 2025 due to concerns over stock health.
Recognising the need for robust stock management in light of these reductions, Norwegian and Russian researchers will work to refine fishery methodologies, aiming to improve stock assessments and management rules for cod, haddock, and other species.
The agreement also maintains technical guidelines for fishing practices, control measures, and continued research collaboration between Norway and Russia. This collaboration includes a joint research program to study marine resources and the Barents Sea ecosystem, with the bilateral working group from the Institute of Marine Research and Russia’s VNIRO taking the lead on stock assessments and advice, using internationally accepted methodologies.
With the future of Barents Sea fisheries at stake, Norway and Russia’s continued joint efforts to manage these resources underscore a shared commitment to ecological sustainability and industry stability.