NAFO Full Form: The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) is an intergovernmental organization with a mandate to provide scientific advice and management of fisheries in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean. NAFO is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Canada.
Table of Contents
NAFO’s Objective
NAFO’s objective is to ensure 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.
History
In 1950, fishing nations established the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF) to preserve fish stocks using scientific methods. ICNAF, supported by the “International Convention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries,” was replaced by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) in 1979 due to the establishment of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). NAFO, under the “Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries,” continues ICNAF’s legacy, focusing on fish stock conservation and management, excluding salmon, tunas/marlins, whales, and sedentary species. NAFO regulates 12 fish species (20 stocks) with moratoria on seven stocks and co-manages pelagic redfish with NEAFC.
Current Members of NAFO
| Canada | Russia |
| Cuba | South Korea |
| European Union | USA |
| Iceland | France |
| Norway | Ukraine |
| Denmark | United Kingdom |
| Japan |
NAFO Commission
The Commission of NAFO per Article VI of the NAFO Convention, handles fisheries management, control, enforcement, and financial decisions. It consults the Scientific Council on scientific matters related to fisheries and ecosystems. Formed from the General Council and Fisheries Commission merger in 2017, it comprises representatives from each Contracting Party. As of September 2023, Deirdre Warner-Kramer (USA) is the Chairperson and Bernard Briand (SPM) is the Vice-Chair.
The commission has 2 standing committees:
1. STACFAD: Standing Committee on Finance and Administration
STACFAD advises the Commission on:
- matters relating to the Secretariat;
- the budget of the Organization;
- the time and place of meetings of the Organization; and
- publications of the Organization.
STACFAD consists of representatives from at least five Contracting Parties. Experts and advisers assist these representatives.
- Chair: Robert Fagan (Canada), re-elected September 2023
- Vice-Chair: Imogen Gibbins (United Kingdom), elected September 2023
2. STATIC: Standing Committee on International Control
- STACTIC advises the Commission on:
- the NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures
- monitoring, control and surveillance activities
- compliance monitoring and reporting
STACTIC consists of one representative from each Commission member who experts and advisers assist.
- Chair: Patrick Moran (USA), re-elected September 2023
- vice-Chair: Brent Napier (Canada), elected September 2023
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
What is the purpose of NAFO?
NAFO’s overall purpose is to help its members work together and share knowledge to effectively manage and conserve the high-seas fishery resources of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean.
Where is the NAFO headquarters?
NAFO is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
What is the Full form of NAFO?
The full form of NAFO is Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.
