| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| CARPAS Regional Fisheries Advisory Commission for the Southwest Atlantic |
1961 Resolution of FAO Conference (under Article VI-1 of FAO Constitution) |
Rome (Italy) | Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay | Southwest Atlantic and inland waters of member countries | To develop organized approach among members for the management and regional exploitation of marine and inland fishery resources; to encourage training and cooperative investigations |
| CECAF Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic |
1967 Resolution of FAO Council (under Article VI-2 of FAO Constitution) |
Rome (Italy) | Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, EC, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, USA, Zaire. | Eastern Central Atlantic between Cape Spartel and the Congo River | To promote programmes of development for the rational utilization of fishery resources; to assist in establishing basis for regulatory measures; to encourage training. |
| COREP Comité régional des pêches du Golfe de Guinée |
1984 International Convention |
Libreville, Gabon | Congo, Gabon, Sao Tomé et Principe, Zaire. | Central and southern Gulf of Guinea | Coordination, harmonization of policies on development and exploitation of shared stocks found within EEZ of Member States. |
| CSRP Commission Sous-régionale des pêches |
1985 International Convention |
Dakar, Senegal | Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal. | N.W. Africa (Mauritania to Guinea including Cape Verde) | To facilitate harmonization of policies concerning the preservation, conservation and exploitation of fisheries resources, cooperation among the countries with a view to deriving maximum benefit from the resources for their populations. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| CTMFM Joint Technical Commission for the Argentina/Uruguay Maritime Front |
1974 International Agreement |
Montevideo (Uruguay) | Argentina, Uruguay | South Atlantic | To adopt and coordinate plans and measures relevant to conservation, preservation and the rational exploitation of living resources and the protection of the maritime environment in the common fishing zone. |
| GFCM General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean |
1949 International Agreement under aegis of FAO (Article XIV of FAO Constitution) |
Rome (Italy) | Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Romania, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey. | Mediterranean, Black Sea and connecting waters | To promote the development, conservation and management of living marine resources; to formulate and recommend conservation measures; to encourage training cooperative projects |
| IBSFC International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission |
1973 International Convention |
Warsaw (Poland) | Estonia, EC, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania Poland, Russian Federation, Sweden | Baltic Sea and the Belts | To keep the fisheries under review; to coordinate scientific research; to recommend regulatory measures including catch quotas and enforcement schemes |
| ICCAT International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas |
1966 International Convention |
Madrid (Spain) | Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea (Rep. of), France, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Libya, Morocco, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Spain, UK, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela | Atlantic Ocean including the adjacent seas | To study the population of tuna and tuna-like fishes; to make recommendations designed to maintain these populations at levels permitting maximum sustainable catch. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
1902 International Convention |
Copenhagen (Denmark) | Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA | Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas with particular reference to the North Atlantic | To promote and encourage research and investigation on the seas, particularly those related to the living resources thereof; to draw up programmes required for this purpose; to publish or otherwise disseminate the result of research and investigation. |
| ICSEAF International Commission for the Southeast Atlantic Fisheries |
1969 International Convention |
Madrid (Spain) | Angola, Bulgaria, Cuba, France, Germany, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain | Southeast Atlantic south of the Congo River and north of parallel 50ºS | To carry out studies and research; to make recommendations for joint action through closed areas and seasons, size limitations, gear control, total catch limit and other measures. |
| NAFO Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization |
1978 International Convention |
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (Canada) | Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, (for Faroe Islands and Greenland), EC, Estonia, Iceland, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, USA. | Northwest Atlantic Ocean | To contribute to the optimum utilization and rational management and conservation of the fishery resources. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| NAMMCO North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission |
1992 International Convention |
Tromso, Norway | Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway | North Atlantic | To provide a forum for the study, analysis and exchange of information among the Parties on matters concerning marine mammals in the North Atlantic; to establish appropriate Management Committees and coordinate their activities; to establish guidelines and objectives for the work of the Management Committees; to establish working arrangements with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and other appropriate organizations; and to coordinate requests for scientific advice. |
| NASCO North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization |
1982 International Convention |
Edinburgh (UK) | Canada, Denmark (for Faroe Islands and Greenland), EC, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, USA | Atlantic Ocean north of 36ºN latitude | To promote the acquisition analysis and dissemination of scientific information pertaining to salmon stocks in the North Atlantic Ocean; to promote the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic Ocean through international cooperation. |
| NEAFC North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission |
1980 International Convention |
London (UK) | Bulgaria, Denmark (for Faroe Islands and Greenland), EC, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation. | Northeast Atlantic Ocean | To provide a forum for consultation and exchange of information on the state of fisheries resources in the Northeast Atlantic, and on related management policies to ensure the conservation and optimum utilization of such resources; and to recommend conservation measures in waters outside national jurisdiction. |
| WECAFC Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission |
1973 Resolution of FAO Council (under Article VI-1 of FAO Constitution) |
Rome (Italy) | Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA, Venezuela. | Western Central Atlantic Ocean | To facilitate the coordination of research; to encourage education and training; to assist Member Governments in establishing rational policies, to promote the rational management of resources that are of interest for two or more countries. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| I-ATTC Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission |
1949 International Convention |
La Jolla, California (USA) | Costa Rica, France, Japan, Nicaragua, Panama, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela | Eastern Pacific Ocean | To gather and interpret information on tuna; to conduct scientific investigation; to recommend proposals for joint action for conservation. |
| IPHC International Pacific Halibut Commission |
1953 International Convention |
Seattle, Washington (USA) | Canada, USA | North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea | To coordinate scientific studies relating to the halibut fishery; to formulate regulations designed to develop the stocks of halibut to those levels which will permit optimum yield. |
| NPAFC North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission |
1993 International Convention |
Vancouver, Canada | Canada, Japan, Russian Federation, USA | North Pacific Ocean and its adjacent seas north of 33ºN | To recommend to the Parties measures for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks and ecologically related species in the Convention area; to promote the exchange of information on any activities contrary to the provisions of the Convention; to consider and make proposals to the Parties for the enactment of schedules of equivalent penalties for activities contrary to the provisions of the Convention; and to review and evaluate enforcement actions taken by the Parties. |
| PICES North Pacific Marine Science Organization |
1992 | Sydney, B.C., Canada | Canada, Japon, China (People's Rep. of), Korea (Rep. of), Russian Federation, USA | North Pacific and adjacent Seas | To promote and coordinate marine scientific research in order to advance scientific knowlodge of the area concerned and of its living resources and to promote the collection and echange of information and data related to marine scientific research in its area of competence. |
| PSC Pacific Salmon Commission |
1985 International Convention |
Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) | Canada, USA | Northwest Pacific | To prevent overfishing and provide for optimum production and to provide for each country to receive benefits equivalent to the production of salmon originating in its waters. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| SPFFA South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency |
1979 International |
Honiara (Solomon Islands) | Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa. | South Pacific (Central and West) | To harmonize fishery management policies; to facilitate cooperation in surveillance and enforcement, processing, marketing and relations with third countries; to arrange for reciprocal access by member countries to their respective 200-mile zones. |
| SPPC (CPPS) South Pacific Permanent Commission |
1952 International Convention |
Santiago, Chile | Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. | South Pacific (East) | To carry out studies and adopt resolutions with a view to the conservation and improved use of resources; to standardize the regulations governing fishing. |
| SPC South Pacific Commission |
1948 | Noumea, New Caledonia | American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nive, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcarin Islands, Salomon Islands, Samoa, Tokclau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, USA, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna | South Pacific South of the Equator. | To encourage and strengthen international cooperation in promoting the economic and social welfare and advancement of the peoples of the South Pacific region, to collect and analyse catch statistics and related data, and to conduct scientific research on tuna and billfish. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| APFIC Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission |
1948 International Agreement under aegis of FAO (Article XIV of FAO Consitution) |
Bangkok (Thailand) | Australia, Bangladesh, China (People's Republic of), Democratic Kampuchea, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK, USA, Viet Nam. | Indo-Pacific area (including inland waters) | To keep fishery resources under review; to formulate and recommend conservation and management measures; to keep under review the economic and social aspects of fishing; to encourage training and research. |
| IOFC Indian Ocean Fishery Commission |
1967 Resolution of FAO Council (under Article VI-1 of FAO Constitution) |
Rome (Italy) | Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Rep. of), Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Rep. of) Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of), Seychelles, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA, Viet Nam. | Indian Ocean and adjacent seas (excluding the Antarctic area) | To promote programmes for fishery development and conservation; to promote research and development activities; to examine management problems with particular reference to offshore resources. |
| IOTC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission |
1993 International Agreement under aegis of FAO (Article XIV of FAO Constitution) |
To be determined | Sri Lanka, Eritrea, Mauritus, India, UK, Pakistan, Seychelles, EC, Madagascar, Republic of Korea. | Indian Ocean and adjacent seas north of the Antarctic Convergence | To promote cooperation in the conservation of tuna and tuna like species and also promote their optimum utilization, and the sustainable development of the fisheries. |
| WIOTO Western Indian Ocean Tuna Organization |
1991 International Convention |
Mahé, Seychelles | Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros, India | Western Indian Ocean | To harmonize policies wiht respect to fisheries; to determine relations with distant water fishing nations; to establish mechanism for fisheires surveillance and enforcement; to cooperate for fisheries development; and to coordinate access to EEZs of the members. |
| Body | Establishment | Headquarters | Membership | Area of competence | Main functions |
| CCAMLR Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources |
1980 International Convention |
Hobart (Australia) | Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, EU, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep.of), New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, USA. | Antarctic Ocean | To ensure that all harvesting and research activities are conducted in accordance with the objectives of the Convention; to formulate, adopt and revise conservation measures; to compile, analyze and disseminate information on the status of resources and to facilitate research activities. |
| OLDEPESCA Latin American Organization for the Development of Fisheries |
1984 International Convention |
Lima (Peru) | Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela. | Oceans bordering Latin America | To provide adequately for the food needs of Latin America and Caribbean, using the potential of fishery resources for the benefit of the people in the region. |
| IWC International Whaling Commission |
1946 International Convention |
Cambridge (UK) | Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Korea (Rep. of), Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Venezuela | All waters in which whaling is carried out and land stations | To encourage or organize studies relating to whales; to collect and analyze information; to adopt regulations with respect to the conservation and utilization of whale resources. |
| CCSBT Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna |
1994 International Convention |
Canberra, Australia | Australia, Japon, New Zealand | Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans where SBT are found | To collect, analyse, and interpret scientific and other relevant information on SBT, to adopt conservation and managment measures including the total allowable catch and its alloction among the Members. |
| CWP Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics |
1959 Resolution of FAO Conference (under Article VI-2 of FAO Constitution) |
Rome, Italy | Consists of International Organizations: CCAMLR, FAO, ICCAT, ICES, NASCO, NAFO, OECD, EC (EUROSTAT) | All oceans | To keep under continuous review the requirements for fishery statistics for the purposes of research, policy-making and managment, aqua standard concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies for the collection and collation of fishery statistics. |
