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Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization facts for kids

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The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) is an international group that helps manage fishing in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean. Its main office is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. NAFO works to make sure that fishing is done in a smart way, so there are enough fish for the future.

What NAFO Does

NAFO's main goal is to work together with different countries to use, manage, and protect the fish in its special area. This area covers most fish in the Northwest Atlantic. However, it does not include salmon, tunas, marlins, whales, or shellfish like clams.

In 2007, NAFO updated its rules to include a new way of managing fisheries. This new way is called an "ecosystem approach." It means NAFO not only cares about catching fish sustainably but also about protecting the whole ocean environment. This includes all the other plants and animals that live there. NAFO wants to make sure fishing does not harm these important ocean homes. This updated plan was officially agreed upon by most members in May 2017.

NAFO uses science to figure out how many fish can be caught. It also sets rules, like how much fish can be caught in total (called Total Allowable Catch). They also watch fishing boats using satellites and have people on board to make sure rules are followed.

NAFO's Story

In 1950, countries that fished a lot near Canada and the United States realized that fish stocks were not endless. They decided to create an international group to work together and protect the fish. This first group was called the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF). It used science to give advice to its member countries.

Later, between 1973 and 1982, the United Nations created new rules for the ocean. One big change was that countries could claim special areas of the ocean near their coasts. These areas are called Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). This meant countries like Canada and the United States now controlled more of the fishing areas. Because of these new rules, ICNAF needed to be replaced.

So, in 1979, ICNAF was replaced by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). NAFO continued the important work of ICNAF. It still gives scientific advice to countries to help protect and manage fish stocks in the region. NAFO manages many types of fish, but not salmon, tunas, marlins, whales, or shellfish.

NAFO manages 12 different fish species, which are divided into 20 different groups. For some of these fish, like Atlantic cod and American plaice, fishing has been stopped for many years to help them recover. This is called a "moratorium." Some fish stocks, like redfish and cod, were reopened for fishing after being closed for a long time.

Today, NAFO keeps improving how it works. It uses advanced systems to watch and control fishing. For example, it uses a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to track boats. It also requires observers on fishing boats. NAFO also protects special ocean areas that could be harmed by fishing.

How NAFO Works

NAFO uses a "Precautionary Approach." This means they are extra careful when there is scientific uncertainty about fish stocks. They try to protect the fish even if they are not 100% sure about the numbers.

Every year, NAFO updates its rules for fishing. These rules include:

  • Total Allowable Catches (TACs): Limits on how much of each fish species can be caught.
  • Quotas: How much fish each country is allowed to catch.
  • By-catch limits: Rules about fish caught by accident.
  • Minimum fish size: Rules about how small a fish can be to be kept.
  • Area and time restrictions: Where and when fishing is allowed.

NAFO also has rules for fishing boats. Boats need special permission to fish. There are rules about the type of boat and fishing gear they can use. They also have rules for how fish products are labeled.

Fishing vessels must record and report their catches. To make sure these records are correct, NAFO has two main systems:

  • Observer Program: An independent person goes on board each fishing vessel in the NAFO area. They watch and record what happens.
  • Vessel Monitoring System (VMS): Every fishing boat in the NAFO area has a satellite device. This device automatically sends the boat's location every two hours.

NAFO also checks fishing boats when they come into port. This is called "Port State Control." They check fish that were caught in the NAFO area to make sure rules were followed.

NAFO also has international inspections at sea. Inspectors from NAFO member countries check fishing boats. If rules are broken, the country the boat belongs to must investigate and take action. NAFO publishes a report each year about how well countries follow the rules.

NAFO has found 26 areas in its fishing zone that are sensitive to fishing gear that touches the bottom. These areas have been closed to bottom fishing to protect them. These closures are reviewed regularly.

Current Member Countries

(Year joined in brackets)

Former Member Countries

  • Bulgaria (1979–2006, joined the EU)
  • Estonia (1992–2004, joined the EU)
  • Latvia (1992–2004, joined the EU)
  • Lithuania (1992–2004, joined the EU)
  • Poland (1979–2004, joined the EU)
  • Romania (1979–2002, joined the EU in 2007)
  • Portugal (1979–1986, joined the EU)
  • Spain (1983–1986, joined the EU)
  • East Germany (1978–1990, joined the EU after Germany reunited)
  • Soviet Union (1978–1991, replaced by Russia)
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