Norway has on several occasions reiterated the importance of the EU catch certificate regulation as a means to combat IUU fishing. The regulation is aimed to prevent illegally caught fish to enter the EU market – and as a consequence – to negatively influence market competition. After rounds of negotiations during the first half of 2009, the EU and Norway signed an agreement that formalised the Norwegian implementation of the catch certificate requirement in the Regulation. The signing took place on 3 September 2009, whereas the agreement came into force 1 January 2010.
The agreement between Norway and the EU means that Norway will issue a catch certificate for all Norwegian landings and export shipments to the EU. The agreement also stipulate that Norway will require a catch certificate for landings and imports to Norway of catches made by fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State of the European Community. The catch certificate requirement for imports into Norway is yet to be implemented.
In accordance with the legal provisions in Havressursloven (2009), it is the respective sales organisations for fish and fish products that will issue and validate the catch certificates and related documents in Norway. It is the Directorate of Fisheries, however, which serves as the controlling authority – receiving copies of all the issued certificates.
More information about the Norwegian catch certificates, including electronic issuance and approval can be found here: www.catchcertificate.no
To read more about the catch certificates, please visit the EU Handbook
The Agreed Record between the EU and Norway can be found here
Published 14 May 2010