Brexit and consequences for quota sharing in the Barents Sea cod fishery

The fishery for Northeast Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Barents Sea is the largest cod fishery in the world. For historical reasons, the EU has cod quotas in both the Norwegian Economic Zone (NEZ) and the Svalbard Protection Zone (SPZ) that are allocated among the member states according to an allocation key that has remained constant for decades. Of the EU countries, until the end of 2020 the UK had the largest quota share, followed by Spain. In this paper we analyse how Brexit may lead to changes in quota sharing between Norway, the UK and the EU. Norway and the UK are have agreed on a framework fisheries agreement, however, they have so far failed to reach agreement on quota sharing and access for 2021. Furthermore, there is now conflict between Norway and the EU when it comes to cod quotas in the SPZ, the outcome of which is uncertain.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the potential impact of Brexit on quota sharing between Norway, the UK, and the EU, with Norway and the UK having agreed on a framework fisheries agreement but still unable to reach agreement on quota sharing and access for 2021. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding the conflict between Norway and the EU over cod quotas in the SPZ.