According to the Directorate-General for Resources Natural, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM): “Negotiations were difficult, in particular, in regards to cod, but the final results were positive”.

From Monday to Friday last week, the 43rd annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) took place via videoconference, involving around 150 participants.

According to DGRM, the annual meeting “is of extreme importance for the Portuguese fishing fleet, which operates in international waters, as it aims to establish fishing opportunities for cod, and other species relevant to the diet of the Portuguese”.

With the support of the representative of the European Union (EU) and of some contracting parties, according to DGRM, it was possible to maintain the quotas of the various species of interest to Portugal, adding support for the total allowable catch of cod for next year.

In addition to the contracting parties, this year's edition of the NAFO meeting was attended by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists and observers, including national shipowners with an interest in cod fishing.

The 44th annual meeting of NAFO will take place in Portugal in 2022.