FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Regional fishery bodies (RFB) fact sheets

Regional Fishery Bodies Summary Descriptions

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO)

Mission
Area of competence
Species and stocks coverage
Legal framework
Languages
Organizations involved
Structure
Activities and meetings
Publications
Contact

MissionObjectives The objective of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) is to contribute, through consultation and cooperation, to the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks subject to the Convention taking into account the best scientific evidence available to it. The Convention applies to the salmon stocks that migrate beyond areas of fisheries jurisdiction of coastal States of the Atlantic Ocean north of 36°N throughout their migratory range.FunctionsThe NASCO provides a forum for the study, analysis and exchange of information among its parties on matters concerning salmon stocks and achievement of the objectives of the Convention.

The NASCO provides a forum for consultation and cooperation on matters concerning the salmon stocks in the North Atlantic Ocean beyond commission areas.

The NASCO facilitates the coordination of the activities of the commissions and establish working arrangements with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and other appropriate fisheries and scientific organizations.

The NASCO has the authority to make recommendations to the parties and the commissions on matters concerning salmon stocks subject to its Convention, including the enforcement of laws and regulations.

The NASCO make recommendations to the parties, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea or other appropriate fisheries and scientific organizations concerning the undertaking of scientific research.

The NASCO’s Commissions propose regulatory measures for fishing of salmon originating in the rivers of other parties. To improve commitment to NASCO's agreements, each jurisdiction submitted an implementation plan in 2007 detailing the measures to be taken over a five-year period in relation to management of salmon fisheries; habitat protection and restoration; and minimizing the adverse impacts of aquaculture, introductions and transfers and transgenic. NASCO goals and activities in these matters are:

precautionary approach: application of precautionary approach to the conservation, management and exploitation of salmon in order to protect the resource and preserve the environments in which it lives;
fisheries management: promote and protect the diversity and abundance of salmon stocks and maintain all stocks above their conservation limits;
habitat protection and restoration: NASCO Plan of Action for Habitat Protection and Restoration has the objective of maintaining and, where possible, increasing the current productive capacity of salmon habitat;
aquaculture, introduction and transfer: minimize the possible adverse impacts of aquaculture, introductions and transfers and transgenics on the wild stocks of Atlantic salmon, working with industry stakeholders where appropriate;
gyrodactylus salaris: to eradicate this parasite from infected areas;
initiatives for endangered species: to protect and rebuild threatened and endangered salmon populations in order to preserve natural diversity;
social and economic values: the goal is to ensure that the salmon stocks provide the greatest possible benefits to society and individuals.

Area of competenceAtlantic Ocean north of 36°N throughout the species' migratory range.

NASCO area of competence - High seas, National waters

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The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) are for illustration only and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Species and stocks coverageSalmon stocks that migrate beyond areas of fisheries jurisdiction of coastal States of the Atlantic Ocean north of 36°N throughout their migratory range. Legal frameworkEstablished by the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean, which was opened for signature in Reykjavik, Iceland, on 2 March 1982 and entered into force on 10 October 1983.

http://www.nasco.int/convention.html LanguagesEnglish, French. Organizations involved

Member: Canada, Denmark, European Union, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, United States of America.
* Denmark: in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

NASCO has 35 accredited NGOs that have observer status. StructurePrincipal bodyThe Council provides a forum for the study, analysis and exchange of information among the parties and for consultation and cooperation on matters concerning salmon stocks. It facilitates the coordination of the activities of the commissions, makes recommendations concerning the undertaking of scientific research and supervises the administrative, financial and other internal affairs of the Organization.Regional commissionsThe NASCO has three regional commissions, the functions of which include making recommendations to the Council on the undertaking of scientific research, providing a forum for consultation and cooperation, and proposing regulatory measures for fishing in the area of fisheries jurisdiction of a member of salmon originating in the rivers of other parties.

North American Commission
- Canada
- United States of America
In addition, the European Union has the right to submit and vote on proposals for regulatory measures concerning salmon stocks originating in its territory.
North-East Atlantic Commission
- Denmark (in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland)
- European Union
- Iceland (to 31 December 2009)
- Norway
- Russian Federation
In addition, Canada and the United States of America have the right to submit and vote on proposals for regulatory measures concerning salmon stocks originating in their rivers and occurring off East Greenland.
West Greenland Commission
- Canada
- Denmark (in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland)
- European Union
- United States of America

International Atlantic Salmon Research BoardIn 2001, the NASCO established an International Atlantic Salmon Research Board (IASRB) to promote collaboration and cooperation on research into the causes of marine mortality of Atlantic salmon and the opportunities to counteract this mortality. In 2005, the IASRB developed a comprehensive, innovative programme of research on salmon at sea, which is being implemented during 2008-2011. See www.salmonatsea.com.SecretariatThe secretary, appointed by the Council, is the chief administrative officer of the Organization. Activities and meetingsThe list and documents for the meetings of the Council and Commissions of the NASCO are available on the NASCO Web site. Publications A number reports and publications are produced under the auspices of the NASCO: annual reports of the commissions, annual reports of the Council, activity reports and others. These publications are available on the NASCO Web site.
Contact

NASCO

11, Rutland Square

Edinburgh

EH 1 2AS

Telephone: (+44) 0131 228 2551

Fax: (+44) 0131 228 4384

Email: hq@nasco.int

Web site: http://www.nasco.int



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