Russian authorities have decided to reduce the minimum size for cod caught in the Barents Sea. From now on, cod as small as 40 cm can be landed, compared to the previous 44 cm. At the same time, the required mesh size in fishing nets will be reduced from 130 mm to 120 mm.
The new rules were announced by Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture and will take effect 10 days after publication.
Norway keeps a close eye.
Audun Maråk, managing director of the Norwegian fishing organisation Fiskebåt, says the move was expected.
Norway has encouraged Russian fishing in the Norwegian economic zone because cod in this area is typically larger than in Russian waters.
If cooperation between Norway and Russia is suspended, and Russia fishes mainly on its own side, it is no surprise that they change both size rules and mesh size to fit their resources,” Maråk explains.
He points out that the sorting grid, which removes undersized fish, will likely still reject cod under the current Norwegian minimum.
Politics behind the decision
The Russian website Severpost reports that Moscow may also use this change as part of upcoming talks with Norway on future fisheries management in the Barents Sea. Maråk believes the new rules could be linked to larger political signals from Russia.
“Russia has indicated they will set their own quotas, not only in their own waters but also in international waters, like the so-called ‘Loophole.’ It is also possible they could challenge Norway’s jurisdiction around Svalbard,” he warns.
Shared interest in cooperation
Fiskebåt has supported Norwegian sanctions against Russia but still hopes for continued joint management of cod stocks.
“It is in both countries’ interest to secure sustainable management of the Barents Sea resources,” Maråk says.
For now, the future of Norwegian–Russian fisheries cooperation remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the rules for cod fishing in Russian waters have just become looser.