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Oceans and fisheries
News announcement14 September 2018Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

Northwest Atlantic: Annual meeting to discuss conservation and enforcement

The European Union participates in the annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), taking place in Tallinn, 17 to 21 September 2018.

In particular, the representatives of the 12 Contracting Parties will deliberate on the setting of the total allowable catch (TAC) for fish stocks to ensure their sustainable management. The EU will seek solutions based on the best available scientific advice, aiming to ensure sustainability for the stocks and predictability for the industry's future. In addition, the EU will strongly support long-term management approaches for key stocks such as Greenland Halibut and cod in the Flemish Cap.

The protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME) is another EU priority, striving to ensure that NAFO's protection policy is based on the latest and best science available. To this end, the EU has among other things contributed years to the NEREIDA seabed mapping project which aims at improving knowledge about the sea bottom. In addition, the EU will support paving the way towards an efficient implementation of the ecosystem approach.

Moreover, the EU will promote protective measures for Greenland sharks, taking into account the latest scientific advice.

Regarding control and enforcement, the EU will continue to promote compliance of the EU fleet with the NAFO rules in force, both at sea and in port, and measures that increase the efficiency of NAFO’s control and inspection systems.

The 40th Annual meeting will also be analysing the conclusions of the recent NAFO Performance Review.

Details

Publication date
14 September 2018
Author
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries