WORKING GROUPS

The permanent Norwegian-Russian committee for management and control issues in the fisheries sector (the Permanent Committee).

The committee was established with the goal of increasing the efficiency of resource control and fisheries regulation.
At its meetings, the Permanent Committee deals with a wide range of issues relating to management and control of the fisheries sector. The committee receives and executes assignments from the Fisheries Commission relating to reinforcement of management and control, compilation of methods, instructions and other documents relating to fisheries control, presentation of proposals for joint conversion factors for conversion of processed fish products to round weight, exchange of information regarding changes in the fishing legislation of the two countries, coordination of the two countries' fishing control bodies, planning joint initiatives from the Norwegian and Russian control authorities in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea, in the NEAFC area etc.
  
Subcommittee of the Permanent Committee
The purpose of the Subcommittee is to prepare initiatives which will reinforce joint control measures and ensure prosecution of violations of the fishing regulations in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea.
The Subcommittee is made up of representatives for management and control of the fisheries sector, representatives from the police, the public prosecutor's office, and from the customs and tax authorities. 
  
Working group for preparation of joint technical regulatory measures for fisheries on joint stocks in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea
The purpose of this working group is to ensure transparency in the management of the joint fish stocks, in order to contribute towards improved compliance with the fishing regulations on the part of the fishermen and to simplify control measures.
The working group was set up to analyse all prevailing technical regulatory measures for the joint fish stocks and to propose possible amendments and additions in order to ensure protection, natural exploitation and reproduction of the joint stocks, and maximum economic yield from fishing for both countries in the long term.
When drawing up proposals for joint technical regulatory measures for the joint stocks, the working group shall make reference to the biological, economic and other relevant criteria applied when laying down the above-mentioned measures.
  
Working group for conversion factors for products of cod and haddock from the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea
The main purpose of the joint Norwegian-Russian efforts to measure and calculate conversion factors for cod and haddock products from the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea is to draw up proposals for conversion factors which will ensure the most correct calculation of the total catches of cod and haddock, and for long-term fishing.
  
Working group of experts for the preparation and introduction of a pilot project for electronic reporting system (ERS) and an electronic catch book (ECB)
The purpose of this working group is to prepare a joint procedure for exchange of electronic reporting data and use of an electronic catch book.
  
The Analysis working group
The most important tasks for the working group are:
- to carry out an assessment of the total catches of cod and haddock in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea by utilising the method for a comprehensive analysis of satellite tracking data and information on the transport and landing of fish products in ports
- to cooperate on the compilation of information per vessel for Norwegian and Russian vessels in order to detect possible violations of the fishing regulations.