NEAFC Full Form: The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), founded in 1980 by the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in Northeast Atlantic Fisheries, manages fisheries in the North Sea, Irish Sea, Nordic Seas, Barents Sea, White Sea, and the remainder of the North East Atlantic Ocean, excluding the Baltic Sea and Danish straits. It replaced an earlier commission from 1959. NEAFC’s goal is to ensure long-term conservation and optimal use of fishery resources in its area, providing sustainable economic, environmental, and social benefits. The area stretches from southern Greenland to the Barents Sea and south to Portugal. The Baltic Sea and Danish Straits are managed by the EU and Russia through a bilateral agreement.
Table of Contents
History of NEAFC
Establishment and Evolution: The NEAFC was established under Article 118 of UNCLOS to promote state cooperation in conserving and managing living marine resources, initially under the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Convention of 1959, but became operative in 1980 with the “Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in North-East Atlantic Fisheries,” which replaced the 1959 Convention.
Historical Context: The 1959 Convention focused on managing shared stocks in international waters of the North East Atlantic, mainly the North Sea, due to national jurisdiction extending only to 3 nautical miles. This focus shifted with the adoption of UNCLOS and the extension of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) to 200 nautical miles in the 1980s.
1982 Convention and Amendments: A new convention with similar objectives entered into force in 1982. Amendments in 2004 and 2006 modernized this convention, incorporating an ecosystem approach to fisheries management and minimizing harmful impacts on marine ecosystems.
Implementation of Amendments: While the 2004 amendment regarding dispute settlement procedures has not yet entered into force, the 2006 amendments, implemented provisionally since their adoption, officially entered into force in 2013, bringing the convention in line with current international law and environmental management approaches.
Current Role and Objectives: The NEAFC Contracting Parties updated the 1980 Convention to address international law developments. The “New” Convention emphasizes NEAFC’s role in conservation and integrating environmental concerns, alongside managing fisheries, highlighting important international instruments in its preamble.
Member List of NEAFC
| Denmark | Russian Federation |
| European Union | United Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Iceland | Northern Ireland |
| Norway |
Cooperating Non-Contracting Party: Canada, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Structure of NEAFC
Commission:
- Composed of Contracting Parties to the NEAFC Convention (1980).
- Led by a President, elected for two years, responsible for meetings and Commission business.
- Meets annually to adopt legally binding Recommendations.
Secretariat:
- Implements the Convention through decisions made at the Annual Meeting.
- Headed by the Secretary.
Permanent Committees:
- PECMAC: Advises on fishing controls and enforcement.
- PECMAS: Liaises with ICES for scientific advice.
- Finance and Administration Committee: Manages budget, staffing, and administrative matters.
Working Groups:
- Statistics: Reports annual statistics.
- Future of NEAFC: Addresses global ocean and fisheries developments.
- Electronic Reporting System – Implementation
NEAFC – Area of Competence
- Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and dependent seas north of 36°N, between 42°W and 51°E.
- Excludes:
- Baltic Sea and Belts south and east of specified lines.
- Includes part of the Atlantic north of 59°N, between 44°W and 42°W.
- Mediterranean Sea and dependent seas south of 36°N and west of 5°36’W.
Fisheries Management Units:
- North East Atlantic pelagic redfish in Irminger Sea and adjacent waters.
- North East Atlantic pelagic redfish in the Norwegian Sea.
- North East Atlantic deep-sea species.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does NEAFC stand for?
The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) functions as the Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) overseeing the North East Atlantic which stands as one of the globe’s richest fishing grounds.
When NEAFC was established?
The NEAFC was established in the year of 1980.
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