Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) NAFO s Experience in addressing the impact of bottom fisheries on VMEs UN Workshop on the implementation of UNGA Resolutions 61/105 and 64/72 15-16 September 2011, NY Panel 3 Experience of RFMO/As in addressing the impacts of bottom fisheries on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the longterm sustainability of deep-sea By fish stocks Vladimir Shibanov, NAFO Executive
What is NAFO? NAFO is a RFMO created in 1979 when the 200 miles EEZs were introduced NAFO replaced ICNAF as the international fisheries management body for the NW Atlantic 12 Contracting Parties to NAFO Convention from N. America, Europe and Asia 20 fish stock units under NAFO management Part of a global network of RFMOs
Instruments UN Fish Stocks Agreement 1995 Conscious of the need to avoid adverse impacts on the marine environment, preserve biodiversity, maintain the integrity of marine ecosystems and minimize the risk of long-term or irreversible effects of fishing operations UN GA Resolution 61/105 2006 In respect of areas where VMEs, including seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold water corals, are known to occur or are likely to occur based on the best available scientific information, to close such areas to bottom fishing and ensure that such activities do not proceed unless conservation and management measures have been established to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs; NAFO Amended Convention 2007 to ensure the long term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the Convention Area and, in so doing, to safeguard the marine ecosystems in which these resources are found.
CEM Chapter 1bis Bottom Fisheries in the NAFO RA introduced in 2008 New definitions in Art. 1 bis: - existing bottom fishing areas, - new bottom fishing areas, - bottom fishing activities. ALL bottom fishing activities in new fishing areas are considered as EXPLORATORY FISHERY
CEM Chapter 1bis Bottom Fisheries in the NAFO RA fishing activities in new fishing areas to be conducted with exploratory fishing protocols (Art. 3bis) reporting requirements were adopted regarding assessments of bottom fishing activities on VMEs. assessment protocol with the requirement to submit: a harvesting plan (1), a mitigation plan (2), a catch monitoring plan (3) and a data collection plan (4). (Art. 4bis and Annex XXV)
NAFO Fishing Footprint (CEM Art. 2bis) fishery data for a 20 year period (19872007) Distinguishes between NEW and EXISTING fishing areas Adopted in 2010
VME Encounter Protocol and Provisions (CEM Art. 5bis) Encounter definition - is an encounter, threshold levels as set out., with indicator species of corals identified as. or other VME elements. SC recommendations of VME indicator species (corals and sponges) Move away procedure (2nm) By-catch thresholds: Corals: 60 kg Sponges: 800 kg
Closed Areas In total 2009 12 2007 2008 a 2006 18 significa addition coral NAFO areas nt protecti alcoral closed are and seamoun on zone four sponge t closed areas was seamou to zones (Fogo closed nt bottom were seamoun on the areas closed tsfishing Grand 1toand 2) Banks were bottom closed fishing Closed areas have been reviewed in 2010 and will continue.
Precautionary approach NAFO started development of PA Framework in 1997 Current PAF finalized in 2004 The 2007 NAFO Amended Convention introduces PA in Preamble PA Reference Points are defined for 9 fish stocks of 19, managed by NAFO Rebuilding Plans adopted for 3 fish stocks Management Strategy Evaluation Approach for 1 stock Special NAFO WG of Managers and Scientists was established in 2010 for further development of the Conservation Plans and Rebuilding Strategies
management measures to ensure the longterm sustainability of deep-sea stocks, nontargeted species, the rebuilding of depleted stocks By-catch, Gear, Minimum Fish Size requirements (Art. 12, 13, 14; Annexes III, XV, XXI) Area and Time restrictions (Art. 15(5) ) Area closures (Art. 16) Fishing moratoria for depleted species (Quota Table) Resolution to reduce Sea Turtle mortality - 2006 Conservation and management of Sharks (Art.17) 2007 Encounter Provisions and Species Threshold (Art. 5bis)
PROBLEMS 1. No clear definitions: Vulnerability, Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems Species-indicators of VMEs Significant adverse impact 2. High cost of ecosystem research.
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