INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND
CO-OPERATION

For a thorough coverage of agreements, please use the link below to the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The list is in Icelandic and English as regards subject matter but some details are in Icelandic only.

The following is a list of international agreements, conventions and arrangements to which Iceland is a party and relate to the fisheries. The list is not complete and is not intended as an official document. 

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, (Dec.10 / 1982). Iceland ratified this agreement in 1985. The agreement came into force in 1994.

Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, (July 28 / 1994). Entered into force in Iceland in 1995.

Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, (August 4 / 1995). Ratified by Iceland in 1997. The agreement entered into force in December 2001 upon ratification by a total of 30 states.

Convention for the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, (Sept.12 / 1964). Ratified by Iceland in 1964, Entered into force in 1968 and its protocol from 1970 entered into force in 1975.

Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, (Oct.24 / 1978). Ratified by Iceland in 1978, entered into force in 1979.

Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in North-East Atlantic Fisheries, (Nov.18 / 1980). Ratified by Iceland in 1981, entered into force in 1982

Agreement on Cooperation in Research, Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals in the North Atlantic, (April 9 / 1992). Entered into force in 1992.

Treaty concerning Spitsbergen, (Feb.9 / 1920). Ratified in 1994 and entered into force in 1994.

Convention on Conduct of Fishing Operations in the North Atlantic, (June 1 /1967). Ratified by Iceland in 1969, entered into force in 1976.

Agreement between Iceland and Norway for fisheries and continental shelf issues, (May 28 / 1980). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation). Entered into force in 1980 and additional protocol in 1998.

Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean, (March 2 / 1982). Ratified by Iceland in 1982, entered into force in 1983.

Fisheries Agreement with Norway, (June 8 / 1984). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation). Entered into force in 1984.

Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Republic of Iceland and the European Community concerning Fisheries, (May 2 / 1992). Entered into force in 1992.

Protocol on the Conservation, Rational Utilization and Management of Norwegian Spring Spawning Herring (Atlanto-Scandian Herring) in the Northeast Atlantic, (May 6 / 1996).

Agreement between Iceland and the Faroe Islands about fishing within their respective EEZs in 2000, (Feb.2 / 2000). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation).

Agreement between Iceland, Greenland/Denmark and Norway about the capelin stock in the area between Greenland, Iceland and Jan Mayen, (June 18 / 1998). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation).

Agreement between Iceland and Greenland about mutual fishing within the EEZs of Iceland and Greenland, (June 18 / 1998). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation).

Bilateral arrangement between Iceland and Norway, (June 18 / 1998). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation).

Agreed Record of Conclusions of Fisheries Consultations on the Management of the Norwegian Spring Spawning Herring (Atlanto-Scandian Herring) Stock in the Northeast Atlantic for 2000, and Understanding on Special Conservation Measures with respect to Management of the Norwegian Spring Spawning Herring (Atlanto-Scandian Herring) Stock in 2000, (Oct.20 / 1999).

Agreement between Iceland and Norway on Access to the Icelandic Economic Zone and the Norwegian Economic Zone and the Fishery Zone around Jan Mayen in 2000.

Arrangement between Iceland and the Russian Federation on Access to the Icelandic Economic Zone in 2000. Agreement between the Government of Iceland, the Government of Norway and the Government of the Russian Federation concerning Certain Aspects of Co-operation in the Area of Fisheries, (May 15 / 1999).

Protocol between the Government of Iceland and the Government of Norway under the Agreement between the Government of Iceland, the Government of Norway and the Government of the Russian Federation concerning Certain Aspects of Co-operation in the Area of Fisheries.

Protocol between the Government of Iceland and the Government of the Russian Federation under the Agreement between the Government of Iceland, the Government of Norway and the Government of the Russian Federation concerning Certain Aspects of Co-operation in the Area of Fisheries, (May 15 / 1999).

Agreement on the fisheries and the marine environment between the Republic of Iceland and the European Economic Community, (Dec.15 / 1993). (Not accessible in English, title not an official translation).

International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, (Nov.29 / 1969) Ratified in 1980, entered into force in Iceland in 1980.

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, (Jan.1 / 1972). Entered into force in 1975

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, (Nov.2 /1973). Entered into force in Iceland in 1985, and protocols in 1985, 1992, 1989.

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, (Sept.19 / 1979). Entered into force in Iceland in 1993.

Convention on Biological Diversity, (June 5 / 1992). Entered into force in Iceland in 1994.

Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, (Sept.22 / 1992). Ratified by Iceland in 1997, entered into force in 1998

Agreement between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden about cooperation against ocean pollution caused by oil and other harmful substances, (March 29 / 1993). (Not available in English. Title not an official translation). Entered into force in 1998.

Voluntary Agreements FAO, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, (Oct.31 / 1995).