Statutory guidance

Norwegian waters

Updated 2 February 2017

When fishing within the Norwegian Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ), you must record the correct economic zone when reporting gear shot and catch information.

You must record the ‘NOR’ code in the gear shot and fishing activity reports to make sure the information is routed to Norway economic zone. If you need to correct Norwegian fishing activity reports, these can only be transmitted before 12.00 UTC, the day after the report was submitted.

A fishing activity report (FAR) must be submitted between 6 and 4 hours before exiting the Norwegian EEZ.

You must report extra information about your gear when in Norwegian waters:

• gear specification, such as single trawl, double trawl
• gear problems, such as burst net, net split, broken meshes

1. Catch on entry (COE)

When submitting a COE you must use ‘NO’ code so the report is sent to Norway. This report must be transmitted between 12 hours and 1 hour before entering Norwegian waters.

This report specifies the date and time, position and International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) division where the intended activity will start from. You must also report the target species – only 1 species, like HAD for haddock. Any catches taken before entering Norwegian waters must be transmitted as part of the COE message.

If fishing north of 62° north a COE must be transmitted between 24 and 12 hours before starting fishing in this part of Norwegian waters.

2. Catch on exit (COX)

When exiting Norwegian waters a COE report must be transmitted with the ‘NO’ code so the report is sent to Norway.

For vessels fishing for human consumption species with nets of minimum mesh size 120mm, a COX report must be submitted at least 4 hours before exiting the zone. However, if you choose to continue fishing in the zone you must submit the COX report 1 hour before leaving the zone. In both instances a FAR must be submitted between 6 and 4 hours before leaving the zone.

When submitting the COX report the catch is not required to be specified as it has been previously reported in the fishing activity reports.

3. Arriving in a Norwegian port

You must submit the prior notification of arrival (PNO) from your electronic logbook system at least 2 hours before arriving into a Norwegian port. This must include details of the landing location and the information will be sent directly to the Norwegian authorities.

This requirement is as well as the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing reporting obligations relating to catch certification, prior notification and pre-landing declaration which must continue to be submitted.

4. Norwegian control points and areas (CON)

You must report for control at one of the prescribed points when you have stopped fishing in Norwegian waters north of 62° north. If you intend to land the catch at a Norwegian port after fishing in the Norwegian EEZ then no control point or area report is required. However, you must provide a PNO 4 hours before arriving at the port of landing.

The report must be transmitted at the latest 12 hours before arriving at the control point. However, if pelagic fishing and retaining the catch in refrigerated sea water tanks then the report should be submitted at the latest 4 hours before arriving at the control point. The Norwegian control points are:

• A – 70°35’N 31°40’E – north east of Vardø
• B – 71°20’N 24°00’E – north of Fruholmen
• C – 70°35’N 19°00’E – north west of Torsvåg
• D – 69°35’N 16°10’E – north of Andenes
• E – 67°50’N 12°00’E – west of Lofotodden
• F – 62°00’N 04°30’E – west of Måløy
• G – 73°30’N 18°00’E – south of Bjørnøya

If you’re fishing for Norwegian spring spawning herring – Atlanto-Scandian herring – north of 62° north you may from 1 October to 28 February, use the following temporary control point:

• H – 68°00’N 04°00’E – west of Lofoten

You must contact the Norwegian Coastguard on VHF, MF, HF or a coastal radio station when you arrive at the control point.

If you’re fishing for mackerel in the Norwegian EEZ then you must ensure you report for one of the following control areas 4 hours before the control point:

1 61°00’N 02°00’E 60°30’N 02°02’E 60°30’N 03°00’E 61°00’N 03°00’E

2 59°00’N 02°00’E 58°30’N 02°00’E 58°30’N 03°00’E 59°00’N 03°00’E

3 58°00’N 07°00’E 57°15’N 07°00’E 57°35’N 08°00’E 58°00’N 08°00’E

You must make contact with the Norwegian Coastguard by VHF, MF, HF or coastal radio station at least 1 hour before arriving at the stated position at the boundary of the control area.

If you alter or cancel the position for control then you must report at the control point or area originally reported unless otherwise agreed with the Norwegian Coastguard.