 |
The NAFO Ad hoc FC Working Group on Bycatches, Discards, and Selectivity
The NAFO Fisheries Commission Ad hoc Working Group on Bycatches, Discards, and Selectivity (WG-BDS) met in Halifax, Nova Scotia over 13-14 July.
The discussions of this WG focused on the development of an Action Plan that could include data management, analysis and ongoing monitoring of fishery-specific practices, identification of priorities and the development of management options to increase the effective management and minimization of bycatch and discards in the NAFO Regulatory Area.
All recommendations of this Working Group will be forwarded to the Fisheries Commission for review at the upcoming Annual Meeting 21- 25 September, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The report of the July meeting can be found on the NAFO website at: fcdoc15-06.pdf
|
 |
NAFO Joint FC-SC Working Group on Ecosystem Approach Framework to Fisheries Management
The NAFO Joint FC-SC Working Group on Ecosystem Approach Framework to Fisheries Management (WG-EAFFM) met 15-17 July, in Halifax, Nova Scotia to discuss NAFO’s implementation of the ecosystem approach in the NAFO Regulatory Area.
This meeting reviewed NAFO's “Ecosystem Roadmap”, including progress on NAFO’s work plan on the risks of Significant Adverse Impacts (SAI) on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and the consideration of the impacts of activities other than fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area.
Since 2008, NAFO has closed 14 areas to all bottom fishing to protect vulnerable benthic species, such as sponges, corals and seapens, from the possible adverse impacts of fishing. The Working Group also considered the need and means to enhance protection of seamount areas in the NAFO Regulatory Area.
All recommendations of this Working Group will be reviewed at the upcoming Annual Meeting 21- 25 September, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
To read the report of the WG-EAFFM July meeting, please visit fc-scdoc15-03.pdf |
 |
Scientific Council Meeting
NAFO’s Scientific Council met 31 May -11 June in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for their annual meeting. Fifty-one scientists, representing 11 countries, met to develop the Council’s advice to fisheries managers on the status of fish stocks and ecosystems in the northwest Atlantic. The meeting was also attended by accredited observers from non-governmental organizations.
This year, the Council gave new advice for the following NAFO's regulated stocks: cod, redfish (ocean perch), yellowtail flounder, capelin, white hake (grey sole), witch flounder and Greenland halibut (turbot). Advice on shrimp stocks will be developed at the forthcoming NAFO-ICES Pandalus Assessment Group meeting, which takes place in St Johns, Newfoundland, September 9 – 16.
In addition, the Council reviewed current oceanographic conditions and progress on implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
All advice provided in these assessments will be considered at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Organization to held in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the week of the 21- 25 of September 2015.
The Scientific Council report can be found online at scs15-12.pdf |
 |
Intern
This year, the Secretariat welcomed intern, Toni Bartulin, to the NAFO Secretariat.
Toni comes to the NAFO Secretariat from Croatia for a three month internship from late July to early October 2015. During the course of his internship, Toni will have the opportunity to gain international experience with a Regional Fishery Management Organization and contribute to various office duties and research in all areas and functions of the Secretariat. In particular, he will assist in the tasks pertaining to NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures and have the opportunity to participate in the 2015 Annual Meeting of NAFO.
For more on internship opportunities at NAFO, please visit: #
|
|
Photo credit: Chen Ning, International Ocean Institute, 2015.
|
International Ocean Institute (IOI)
In June, the International Ocean Institute (IOI) class visited the NAFO Secretariat. Twelve students from the IOI’s annual training program on ocean governance, all from various international backgrounds, had the opportunity to learn more about NAFO’s practices and protocols. Executive Secretary, Fred Kingston, presented an overview presentation on the organization during their visit. The students had the opportunity to liaise with various Secretariat staff from both the Fisheries and Science teams, while having the opportunity to ask questions about different areas of the Organization.
To find out more about IOI’s training program, please visit http://internationaloceaninstitute.dal.ca
|
 |
Upcoming NAFO meetings:
- Joint NAFO/ICES Pandalus Assessment Meeting , September 9-16, St. John’s Newfoundland.
- NAFO 37th Annual Meeting, September 21-25, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- ASFA (Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts) Board Meeting (Co-hosted by NAFO & Dalhousie University: Environmental Information: Uses & Influence), October 5-9, Halifax, Nova Scotia. ASFA is an international cooperative information system under the auspices of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the collection and dissemination of information on the science, technology, management and conservation of marine and freshwater resources and environments
- WG-ESA (NAFO Working Group on Ecosystem Science Assessment) November 17-26, Halifax Nova Scotia.
A complete list of past NAFO meeting reports, including the most recent reports from Joint FC-SC Working Groups (WG-Catch Reporting and WG- Risk Based Management Strategies) can be found on www.nafo.int
|