North Atlantic salmon. (Photo: Copyright 2017 - Gilbert van Ryckevorsel)

NASCO adopts measures to protect salmon around the Faroe Islands and off West Greenland

EUROPEAN UNION
Wednesday, June 20, 2018, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) has adopted new regulatory measures to protect salmon stocks around the Faroe Islands and off West Greenland.

The adoption of the protective rules took place during its 35th Annual Meeting held in Portland, Maine (the US), on June 12 and 15.

The agreement on a new regulatory measure for West Greenland addresses several shortcomings in terms of control and monitoring of the catches and sets an annual total allowable catch (TAC) of 30 tonnes for the period 2018-2020.

Under the previous regulatory measure in place since 2015, no agreement could be reached on the TAC and Denmark (in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland) had autonomously declared an annual quota of 45 tonnes.

The new agreement illustrates a renewed willingness of all Parties to improve cooperation towards the conservation of the salmon stocks and represents an important step to protect the especially endangered southern populations.

NASCO Parties agreed to schedule activities towards the adoption of a new cycle of reporting on the implementation of the agreements. This is very important to ensure transparency and the accountability of the Parties in the application of the conservation measures in fisheries management, habitat protection and restoration, and aquaculture activities.

NASCO also held a special session to take stock of the ongoing preparation of the International Year of Salmon (IYS) in 2019. IYS is an initiative co-sponsored by NASCO and the North Pacific Anadromous Fisheries Commission (NPAFC) to create a hemispheric partnership to raise awareness about the challenges and threats facing salmon populations, to stimulate research and to forge concrete action.

In late October 2018, North-Atlantic and North-Pacific ministers will participate in the official launch of the initiative.

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