Overview
Status: Protocol in place
Type of agreement: Mixed
Protocol dates: 12 December 2024 – 11 December 2030
EU total financial contribution: €17,296,857 per year
The EU and Greenland first established a fisheries agreement in 1985. Initially set for ten years, it was extended every six years until it was replaced by fisheries partnership agreements. The latest sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA) between the EU, Greenland and Denmark is valid from 22 April 2021 to 21 April 2027.
The current fisheries protocol covers the period from 12 December 2024 to 11 December 2030.
Financial details
EU financial contribution
€17,296,857 per year, with €3,200,000 dedicated to supporting the sustainable development of Greenland’s fisheries policy.
Fees for operators
The licence fees paid by European ship owners will increase every two years.
License fees paid by shipowners (€ per tonne)
| Stock | 2025-2026 | 2027-2028 | 2029-2030 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cod | 208 | 225 | 252 |
| Pelagic redfish | 136 | 147 | 165 |
| Demersal redfish | 136 | 147 | 165 |
| Greenland halibut | 321 | 347 | 389 |
| Northern prawn - west | 250 | 270 | 302 |
| Northern prawn - east | 188 | 203 | 228 |
| Capelin | 23 | 25 | 28 |
Access to waters
Fishing opportunities as set out in the protocol (2024-2030) (tonnes)
| Stock | Fishing opportunities |
|---|---|
| Cod | 2,050 |
| Pelagic redfish | 0 (Any allocation of Redfish should be in line with management agreement and decisions reached at NEAFC level) |
| Demersal redfish | 2,100 |
| Greenland halibut - west | 1,900 |
| Greenland halibut - east | 4,775 |
| Northern prawn - west | 2,431 |
| Northern prawn - east | 4,150 |
| Capelin | 13,000 |
| Grenadier spp. - west | 100 |
| Grenadier spp. - east | 100 |
| By-catch | 300 |
| Mackerel | 0 |
Reference prices as set out in the protocol
| Stock | Live weight price in € per tonne |
|---|---|
| Cod | 3,000 |
| Pelagic redfish | 1,900 |
| Demersal redfish | 1,900 |
| Greenland halibut - west | 4,960 |
| Greenland halibut - east | 4,960 |
| Northern prawn - west | 4,726 |
| Northern prawn - east | 4,726 |
| Capelin | 400 |
| Grenadier spp. - west | 1,735 |
| Grenadier spp. - east | 1,735 |
| Bycatch | 2,200 |
| Mackerel | PM |
Sectoral support
The EU provides an envelope of €3,200,000 per year to support the national strategy for sustainable fisheries. It should contribute to good ocean governance and the promotion of responsible and sustainable fisheries. It is determined by and conditional on the achievements of Greenlandic sectoral fisheries policy objectives.
EU funding supports the following priorities
- keeping a good balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities
- support to sustainable small-scale fishing, especially in remote areas
- capacity building and training of fisheries inspectors
- control and inspection of fishing activities, in particular combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and deterring and sanctioning infringements relating to IUU fishing
- scientific research and advice on stock status
Scientific advice
Under the agreement and its implementing protocol, both parties agreed to support responsible fishing, including at a regional level, in particular in NEAFC and NAFO, and any other subregional or international body. The Joint Committee may consider ways to ensure the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources, in compliance with relevant conservation and management guidelines.
News
- Highlighted
Today marks a milestone in the enduring partnership between the European Union and Greenland as they officially signed the renewed protocol implementing the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA).
The 43rd annual meeting of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) - which includes the European Union, representatives from Denmark in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation - concluded last Friday, 15 November.
The delegations of the European Union, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom (coastal states) reached an agreement on management measures, for mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting in the North-East Atlantic for 2025.