The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs has decided to introduce an export quota for fish and fish products starting 1 June 2006.This export quota will limit the quantity of marine fish or fish products from recreational fishing that can be exported from Norway to 15 kg per person.

"This is a measure that has been under consideration for a long time, and the fact that the export quota will now come into effect is an important signal at the advent of the summer season. Fishing tourism is an important part of the travel and tourism industry and generates both employment and increased wealth in coastal communities. It is important, however, that the exploitation of fishery resources be subject to responsible constraints. The export quota is not intended to hinder fishing tourism for sport, and I hope this will help settle the tourist fishing controversy in Norway," says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Ms Helga Pedersen.

"We use the export quota to facilitate the further development of responsible fishing tourism as a tourism product, and the export quota will have a preventive effect on quantity-oriented fishing tourism," says Ms Pedersen.

All sports fishermen, including tourists, are subject to fishing tackle restrictions. These restrictions will not be amended as a result of the export quota. Fish or fish products will not be included in the quota if it can be documented that the goods were purchased from a registered business. Freshwater fish, salmon, trout and Arctic char are not covered by the export quota.

Out of consideration for border control and the EEA agreement, the export quota will also apply to Norwegian citizens.

Some of the fishing tourism has been criticised by many for amounting to a hidden form of commercial fishing that threatens local fishery resources and traditional commercial fishing, and fishing tourism has been subject to a great deal of media attention. Earlier this year, a party of tourists was caught leaving Bjørnefjell, Norway with nearly 500 kg of fish fillets, and this triggered a new, extensive debate about the regulation of fishing tourism.

"It is unfortunate that a whole industry has to suffer because of certain individual episodes, and cases like the one we had at Bjørnefjell this winter undermine the legitimacy of both the travel and tourism industry and resource management. By establishing an export quota, we make it clear that a hidden form of commercial fishing is unacceptable, and this is an attitude we share with the travel and tourism industry," says Ms Helga Pedersen.

Furthermore, extensive studies are underway of the scope and impact of fishing tourism, both with regard to fish stocks and the generation of wealth. The Norwegian Hospitality Association and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research are involved in these studies, and the results will provide us with more information about fishing tourism in Norway.

"In connection with the introduction of the export quota, the fishery authorities also intend to implement a publicity campaign about responsible fishing and the current minimum size limits for ordinary fishing in collaboration with the travel and tourism industry," says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Ms Helga Pedersen.