North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization facts for kids

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) is a special group that works to protect salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean. It was started on October 1, 1983.

NASCO's main goal is to help save, bring back, and manage salmon populations. They do this by getting countries to talk and work together. Their main office is in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

This organization was created because countries realized they needed to work together to protect salmon. If each country fished on its own, there was a risk of catching too many salmon. This would harm the salmon population for everyone. NASCO helps set rules for fishing salmon. For example, countries can only fish for salmon within 12 nautical miles of their own land. This helps keep most of the North Atlantic safe for salmon.

In 2020, NASCO used money from its member countries to do its important work.

Who Belongs to NASCO?

This map shows the countries that are part of NASCO (dark green) and other countries that signed the original agreement (light green).

NASCO has several countries and groups that are members. They have been working together since 1984.

Current members include:

• Canada
• Denmark (representing the Faroe Islands and Greenland)
• The European Union
• Norway
• The Russian Federation
• The United States of America

Some countries were members in the past but are no longer active:

• Iceland (from 1984 to 2009)
• Finland (from 1984 to 1995)
• Sweden (from 1984 to 1995)

NASCO also invites 44 non-government organizations (NGOs) to their yearly meetings. These groups can watch and learn about the discussions.

How NASCO Works

NASCO has different parts that help it do its job. Think of them as different teams working together.

• Council: This is the main decision-making body. Each member country has a representative here. Decisions are made when three-quarters of the members agree.
• North American Commission: This group focuses on salmon in the North American part of the Atlantic.
• North-East Atlantic Commission: This group deals with salmon in the North-East Atlantic.
• West Greenland Commission: This group focuses on salmon near West Greenland.
• International Atlantic Salmon Research Board (IASRB): This board helps with scientific research about salmon.
• Secretariat: This is like the main office staff. They have 5 full-time employees in Edinburgh who help run the organization every day.

The Council has important tasks, such as:

• Being a place where people can share information and ideas about salmon.
• Making sure all the different Commissions work well together.
• Working with other groups that study fish and science.
• Suggesting new scientific research to help salmon.