France feels “almost attacked” by Norway’s overfishing
Brussels – The ministers of the European Union began two days of lengthy negotiations on Thursday on the allocation of next year’s fishing quotas.
The situation is particularly tense for species such as Atlantic mackerel, whose population has collapsed. France reproaches countries outside the EU, particularly Norway, for overfishing without taking scientific advice into account.
“The situation is quite tense, especially as we are almost being attacked by third countries that do not want to respect scientific advice. I am thinking very clearly in particular of Norway,” said Minister Catherine Chabaud.
“France is fully ready” to ask its European partners to activate “the lever of trade sanctions,” she said. An EU regulation makes it possible in particular to limit imports from third countries.
Fleeing global warming, Atlantic mackerel has migrated northward only to find itself trapped by overfishing. Its population has fallen into a danger zone where its reproduction is no longer guaranteed. (11 December 2025)
