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The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) is an intergovernmental organization with a mandate to provide scientific advice and management of fisheries in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean. NAFO is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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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 of the Convention Area.
The NAFO Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries[1] applies to most fishery resources of the Northwest Atlantic except salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary species (e.g. shellfish).
In 2007 NAFO adopted an Amended Convention. It was finally ratified in May 2017 with 3/4 of the Members agreeing to it. The original objective was modernized to include an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. It now expands beyond a sustainable use of the commercial northwest Atlantic fishery resources by committing to also protect the associated marine ecosystems from adverse fisheries effects.
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). NAFO's ecosystem-based approach aligns with global fisheries management principles outlined in the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, which emphasizes sustainable and responsible practices (United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, 1995).[2] This framework ensures that marine biodiversity and ecosystem health are preserved alongside commercial fish stock management (Rochet & Rice, 2009; Brodziak & Mueter, 2016). 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, emphasizing an Ecosystem-based fisheries (Rochet et al., 2009).[3] NAFO achieves this through scientific assessment, regulatory measures such as Total Allowable Catch, and comprehensive monitoring systems, including satellite-based Vessel Monitoring and observer programs.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).[4] 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.
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In 1950, the fishing nations who operated fleets on the continental shelf of Canada and the United States began to recognize that fishing resources were finite and sought to establish an international multinational organization to provide for cooperation in preserving fish stocks. This organization, the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, or ICNAF, was organized that year and mandated to use modern scientific methods in providing advice to member nations.
The ICNAF was supported by the "International Convention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries", however between 1973 and 1982 the United Nations and its member states negotiated the "Third Convention of the Law of the Sea" - one component of which, the concept of nations being allowed to declare an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), was ratified and implemented in 1977. The establishment of Exclusive Economic Zones under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea fundamentally reshaped international fisheries governance, leading to the creation of NAFO as a replacement for ICNAF (McDorman, 2005).[5] NAFO introduced a more robust regulatory framework to align with modern resource management standards (Symes, 1998).[6] This extension of national fisheries jurisdiction over large areas of the continental shelf in this region by Canada, the United States, Greenland and St. Pierre and Miquelon required that the ICNAF be replaced with a new convention.
In 1979 ICNAF was replaced by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) which was established under the "Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries". NAFO continues ICNAF's legacy under a mandate of providing scientific advice to member states with the premise of ensuring the conservation and management of fish stocks in the region. The NAFO mandate includes most fishery resources in the Northwest Atlantic, except salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary species (e.g. shellfish).
NAFO regulates twelve fish species (20 stocks) and a fishing ban (moratorium) is in place for seven fish stocks belonging to five species (Atlantic cod, American plaice, witch flounder, capelin and shrimp). For many of these stocks, the fishing moratorium started more than a decade ago, however two stocks (redfish and cod) were reopened to fishing after decade-long moratoria. NAFO co-manages the pelagic redfish in Subarea 2 and Div. 1F-3K (off Greenland) with its sister organization, NEAFC.
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. ICNAF's primary goal was to address overfishing in the Northwest Atlantic and establish coordinated conservation and management efforts for fish stocks.[7] 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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NAFO is implementing the Precautionary Approach that takes into account scientific uncertainties and thus allows for improved protection of the resources. Recently NAFO Adopted the MSE (Management Strategy Evaluation) for the Greenland halibut stock. This approach considers a survey-based harvest control rule (HCR) in setting the TAC. NAFO was the first regional fisheries management organization to regulate the fishery of a species (thorny skate) belonging to skates or sharks (elasmobranchs).
Management measures of NAFO (see NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures[8]) are updated every year), which include Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas[8] for regulated stocks, as well as restrictions for by-catch, minimum fish size, area, and time. In addition, NAFO imposes a number of control measures on the international fishery in the NAFO Regulatory Area, for example authorization to fish, vessel and gear requirements, controlled chartering arrangements, and product labelling requirements.
NAFO also requires that fishing vessels record and communicate their catches and fishing efforts. The reliability of these records is enhanced by the Observer Program and the NAFO Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The Observer Program requires each fishing vessel in the NAFO area to carry an independent observer on board. Under the VMS each vessel fishing in the NAFO area is equipped with a satellite monitoring device that automatically and continuously (every two hours) reports the position.
NAFO has also adopted Port State Control Measures that apply to landings or transshipments in ports of Contracting Parties by fishing vessels flying the flag of another Contracting Party. The provisions apply to landing or transshipment of fish caught in the Regulatory Area, or fish products originating from such fish, that have not been previously landed or offloaded at a port.
NAFO's joint (international) inspection and surveillance scheme include frequent and indiscriminate at-sea inspections by authorized inspectors from NAFO member states. In addition to at-sea inspections, NAFO requires obligatory port inspections. It is the duty of flag states to perform follow-up investigations and to prosecute. NAFO publishes an Annual Compliance Report.
NAFO has identified 26 areas within its Convention area as being vulnerable to bottom contact gears, and subsequently, closed the areas to bottom fishing. These closures will be reviewed again in 2023. NAFO has also delineated existing bottom fishing areas, in response to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA Res. 61/105, paragraph 83) request for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations to regulate bottom fisheries that cause a significant adverse impact on vulnerable marine ecosystems.
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Year joined in brackets.
- Canada (1978)
- Cuba (1978)
- European Union (1978)
- Iceland (1978)
- Norway (1978)
- Denmark; in respect of Faroe Islands and Greenland (1979)
- Japan (1980)
- Russia (1992)
- South Korea (1993)
- United States of America (1995)
- France; in respect of Saint Pierre and Miquelon (1996)
- Ukraine (1999)
- United Kingdom (2020)
- Bulgaria (1979–2006, acceded to the EU)
- Estonia (1992–2004, acceded to the EU)
- Latvia (1992–2004, acceded to the EU)
- Lithuania (1992–2004, acceded to the EU)
- Poland (1979–2004, acceded to the EU)
- Romania (1979–2002, acceded to the EU in 2007)
- Portugal (1979–1986, acceded to the EU)
- Spain (1983–1986, acceded to the EU)
- East Germany (1978–1990, acceded to the EU following reunification of Germany)
- Soviet Union (1978–1991, succeeded by the Russian Federation)
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