22/07/2015: NAFO scientific council provides advice for international fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic

Fifty-one scientists from 11 countries recently met in Halifax, Nova Scotia to advise fisheries managers on the status of fish stocks and ecosystems in the northwest Atlantic. This annual meeting of the Scientific Council of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) was held over a two week period in June. It was attended by scientists from NAFO members and accredited observers from non-governmental organisations.
     

Halifax, Nova Scotia (Image: thomasaldendoherty)

This year, the Council gave new advice for high seas fisheries on the following stocks:

• cod
• redfish (ocean perch)
• yellowtail flounder
• capelin
• white hake (grey sole)
• witch flounder
• Greenland halibut (turbot)

Furthermore, the Scientific Council discussed NAFO’s progress on implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. One of the aims of this approach is to protect vulnerable areas from adverse impacts of fishing activity. NAFO has already closed 14 areas to protect corals, sponges and sea pens; and at this meeting explored strengthening measures to protect seamounts.

All advice provided in these assessments will be reviewed and considered at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Organisation to held in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the week of the 21- 25 of September 2015. For more information on the advice, the Scientific Council report can be found online HERE.

To arrange a follow-up interview or to attend the 37th Annual Meeting of NAFO, please contact:
Dayna Bell
Scientific Information Administrator
NAFO Secretariat
+902 486-5590 ext. 203
dbell@nafo.int

The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) is an international fisheries and scientific organisation founded in 1979. Since its inception, NAFO aims to conserve and sustain fishery resources in the northwest Atlantic. 

Visit the NAFO website HERE.

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