In the case of blue whiting, an ad hoc arrangement has been agreed between the EU, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway based on a TAC of 1.2 million tonnes. This arrangement gives the EU a quota of 331,348 tonnes, which is almost double the 2013 quota level and reflects the improved condition of the stock. The Coastal States have also agreed to coordinate scientific research in order to improve the assessment and management of the blue whiting stock.

At this time, the EU has also indicated its intention of renegotiating the current quota sharing arrangement between the Coastal States in the light of the recent report of the NEAFC working group on the blue whiting stock distribution, which demonstrated the concentration of the stock and fisheries in EU waters.

As regards Atlanto-Scandian herring, four Coastal States (European Union, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation) have agreed on an arrangement for 2014 establishing a TAC level of 418,487 tonnes, of which the EU quota is 27,244 tonnes. The Faroe Islands was not in a position to come on board in this arrangement at this time. However, the other Coastal States did agree to set aside a quantity of 21,594 tonnes for the Faroe Islands which is based on the sharing arrangement agreed in 2007.