The adoption of a “fins-naturally-attached” policy for sharks caught in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization’s (NAFO’s) Regulatory Area was one of the key outcomes of the Regional Fisheries Management Organization’s (RFMO’s) 38th annual meeting, held in Varadero, Cuba.
In adopting the policy, NAFO becomes the second RFMO to follow steps taken by the EU to eradicate the practice of shark finning.
NAFO Contracting Parties also decided on total allowable catches (TACs) for a number of stocks and, under the leadership of the EU and Canada, set a course for improved fisheries management in the high seas.
In order to protect marine ecosystems – in particular to avoid significant adverse impacts on corals, sponges and sea pens – NAFO decided to ban all bottom fishing within a 239 sq km area northeast of the Flemish Cap. This decision follows an assessment of significant adverse impacts.
Contracting Parties set catch limits for Greenland halibut, for two stocks of redfish in the Grand Bank, for skate in the Grand Bank, as well as for shortfin squid, taking due account of scientific advice.
The fishing bans on American plaice, witch flounder and shrimp in the Grand Bank were maintained to give these stocks further time to recover.
Contracting Parties also agreed to work towards putting in place a long-term management plan for Greenland halibut, a key stock for the EU, as of next year.
NAFO also agreed on additional technical measures to further improve compliance and enforcement in the Northwest Atlantic. In particular, NAFO aligned its port state measures with FAO's Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to reinforce the global fight against illegal fishing.
The 39th NAFO Annual Meeting will be held in Halifax, Canada, from 18-22 September 2017.
