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Draft:Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization

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Mandate

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NAFO's overall objective is to contribute, through consultation and cooperation, to the optimum utilization, rational management, and conservation of the fishery resources within the Convention Area. The NAFO Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries applies to most fishery resources in the Northwest Atlantic, excluding salmon, tunas, marlins, whales, and sedentary species (e.g., shellfish). In 2007, NAFO adopted an Amended Convention, which was ratified in May 2017 by three-quarters of its members. The original objective was modernized to include an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management (Rochet et al., 2009). This expansion extends beyond the sustainable use of commercial fishery resources to include commitments to protect associated marine ecosystems from the adverse effects of fisheries (Brodziak and Mueter, 2016). Since the ratification of the Amended Convention in 2017, NAFO has implemented an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, which considers the interrelationships between the fish stocks and their environments. This approach aims to ensure not only the sustainability of target species, but also the protection of marine diversity and the health of marine ecosystems in the Northwest Atlantic.

History

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In the preceding years leading up to the NAFO formation, the early roots trace back to the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF) in 1949. This organization helped served as a precursor to what is the NAFO today, it was founded at was founded at a conference in Washington, D.C., attended by countries with significant fishing interests in the Northwest Atlantic, including the United States, Canada, the UK, and several European nations[1]. ICNAF's primary goal was to address overfishing in the Northwest Atlantic and establish coordinated conservation and management efforts for fish stocks[2]. By the late 1970s it was becoming increasingly difficult for the ICNAF to make any substantial changes due to the limitations on the ICNAF, and in turn this helped lead to the formation of the NAFO. NAFO’s new framework introduced more robust conservation measures and an emphasis on scientific research, aligning its approach with international fisheries law and modern resource management standards.

Today, NAFO continues to adapt by implementing advanced monitoring, control, and compliance systems. For instance, it has adopted a Vessel Monitoring System and a mandatory observer scheme, while also establishing protections for vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) affected by bottom fishing. These initiatives align NAFO’s goals with international conservation standards, including the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, which highlights the need for sustainable and responsible fisheries.

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Conservation Efforts

The organization's focus includes setting quotas and controlling fishing practices for high-value species like Greenland halibut, cod, and shrimp, which are closely monitored due to their vulnerability. NAFO’s fisheries management plans typically include Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits, gear restrictions, and designated closures to protect spawning grounds. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union (EU). It sets quotas for which member states are allowed to catch each type of fish, as well as encouraging the fishing industry by various market interventions. In 2004 it had a budget of €931 million, approximately 0.75% of the EU budget. For example, in 2004, NAFO implemented a full closure of certain areas to protect coral habitats and vulnerable marine ecosystems, responding to concerns raised by its Scientific Council.

In addition to regular stock assessments, NAFO incorporates a compliance system that enforces regulations across its member states. This includes the use of a Fisheries Observer Program, vessel monitoring systems, and port inspections to ensure transparency and compliance with quotas and restrictions. The Observer Program assigns independent monitors to vessels, who report on adherence to NAFO's rules and document the impacts of fishing practices on non-target species, including bycatch. Through annual reviews of compliance data, NAFO continues to refine its regulations to address violations and adjust conservation measures as necessary

References

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Brodziak, J., and F. J. Mueter. "Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and the Challenges of Managing Transboundary Fish Stocks." Marine Policy, vol. 72, 2016, pp. 111-121.

https://www.nafo.int/Portals/0/PDFs/ar/ar2017/AR2017.pdf

Rochet, Marie-Josèphe, et al. "Towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries management: Lessons from the Northwest Atlantic." Fisheries Research, vol. 96, no. 2-3, 2009, pp. 137-145.

https://www.nafo.int/About-us/History/introduction

“Introduction.” Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, www.nafo.int/About-us/History/introduction.

https://www.nafo.int/About-us/History/recent-history-northwest-atlantic-fisheries-organization-nafo

https://www.nafo.int/About-us/History/formation-of-icnaf-events-leading-up-to-the-1949-conference

https://www.nafo.int/About-us/History/early-history-of-northwest-atlantic-fisheries

https://www.nafo.int/Portals/0/PDFs/COM/2018/CEM-2018-web.pdf?ver=2017-12-21-133002-477

https://www.nafo.int/Fisheries

https://www.nafo.int/Fisheries/Conservation


  1. ^ "Introduction". Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Formation of ICNAF – events leading up to the 1949 conference".