Number range CHAPTER**Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the
North Atlantic Ocean**

**(Basic Instrument for the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation
Organization \-- NASCO)**

**[Basic Instrument]{.underline}**

Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean
(TIAS 10789), 1982.

**[Implementing Legislation]{.underline}**

Atlantic Salmon Convention Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 3601).

**[Member Nations]{.underline}**

Canada, Denmark (in respect of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland), the
European Commission or EC, Iceland, Norway, the United States, and the
Russian Federation.

**[Commission Headquarters]{.underline}**

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization

11 Rutland Square

Edinburgh, EH1 2AS Scotland

United Kingdom

Secretary: Dr. Malcolm Windsor

Tel: 44 131 228 2551

Fax: 44 131 228 4384

E-mail: hq@nasco.int

Web address: <http://www.nasco.int/>

**[Budget]{.underline}**

The Convention provides that 30 percent of the Organization\'s budget
will be borne equally by the Parties; 70 percent will be based on recent
catches of salmon in intercepting fisheries. NASCO agreed on a 2005
draft budget of Pounds Sterling 472,110 (USA share Pounds Sterling
20,233) and a 2006 forecast budget of Pounds Sterling 471,940 (USA share
Pounds Sterling 20,226). This figure includes the following commitments
that were agreed by mail after the close of the NASCO meeting: (1) to
support a meeting in 2004 of the Working Group on the Future of NASCO
(5,000 Pounds) and (2) to provide honorarium for the new "special
advisor" to NASCO (7,000 Pounds). Steinar Hermansen (Norway) is the
Chair of the FAC through 2005.

NASCO receives its scientific advice from the International Council for
the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). NASCO's contributions to ICES
increased by 67 percent from 1999 to 2002. Although NASCO is concerned
about the volatility of increases, the current MOU between NASCO and
ICES was rolled over for a further period of one year, i.e., until the
end of 2004 to allow time for the new MOU to be developed.

**[U.S. Representation]{.underline}**

A. Appointment Process:

The Atlantic Salmon Convention Act of 1982 provides that the United
States shall be represented on the Council and Commissions by three U.S.
Commissioners, appointed by the President to serve at his pleasure. Of
the

Commissioners, one must be an official of the U.S. Government and two
must be individuals (not officials of the U.S. Government) who are
knowledgeable or experienced in the conservation and management of
salmon of U.S. origin.

B. U.S. Commissioners:

Patricia A. Kurkul

Director, Northeast Regional Office

National Marine Fisheries Service

One Blackburn Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930-2298

Stephen R. Gephard

State of Connecticut

Department of Environmental Protection

Inland Fisheries Division

P.O. Box 719

Old Lyme, CT 06371

George D. LaPointe

Commissioner

Maine Department of Marine Resources

21 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333

C. Advisory Structure:

The U.S. Section of NASCO was formally constituted to provide the U.S.
Commissioners with advice, with particular reference to development of
U.S. policies, positions, and negotiating tactics. Membership of the
U.S. Section includes public and *ex officio* members. Public members
are appointed by the Commissioners and serve for a term of 2 years with
eligibility for an additional 2-year term. Public members are limited to
15 in number and must be persons knowledgeable or experienced in the
conservation and management of salmon of U.S. origin.

*Ex officio* members include:

\(1\) the Chair (or designee) of the New England Fishery Management
Council;

\(2\) a representative of the fishery agency of each of the States of
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and
Connecticut;

\(3\) the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Space or
her representative;

\(4\) a representative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Department of Commerce; and

\(5\) a representative of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of
the Interior.

In addition, the U.S. Commissioners established the U.S. Atlantic Salmon
Assessment Committee, which is composed of staff from State and Federal
fishery agencies. The work of this body focuses on assessing New England
stocks of Atlantic salmon, proposing and evaluating research needs, and
serving the U.S. Section to NASCO. Each year this body meets for an
Assessment Meeting from which an assessment document is produced for the
use of the U.S. Commissioners.

**[Description]{.underline}**

A. Mission/Purpose:

The Convention applies to the salmon stocks that migrate beyond areas of
fisheries jurisdiction of coastal states of the Atlantic Ocean north of
36EN latitude throughout their migratory range. The purpose of NASCO is
to promote (1) the acquisition, analysis, and dissemination of
scientific information pertaining to salmon stocks in the North Atlantic
Ocean and (2) the conservation, restoration, enhancement, and rational
management of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic Ocean through
international cooperation.

B. Organizational Structure:

NASCO consists of: (1) the Council; (2) three regional Commissions
(North American Commission or NAC, West Greenland Commission or WGC, and
North-East Atlantic Commission or NEAC); and (3) the Secretariat. The
Council, which consists of representatives of all Contracting Parties:
(1) provides a forum for the study, analysis, and exchange of
information on salmon stocks subject to the Convention; (2) provides for
consultation and cooperation concerning salmon stocks beyond Commission
areas; (3) coordinates the activities of the Commissions; (4)
establishes working arrangements with the International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and other fisheries and scientific
organizations; (5) makes recommendations concerning scientific research;
(6) supervises and coordinates the administrative, financial, and other
internal affairs of the Organization; and (7) coordinates the
Organization\'s external relations.

The three Commissions each have the following functions: (1) to provide
for consultation and cooperation among their members; (2) to propose
regulatory measures for intercepting salmon fisheries; and (3) to make
recommendations to the Council concerning scientific research.

Canada and the United States are members of the NAC. Canada, the EU, the
United States, and Denmark (in respect of Greenland), are members of the
WGC. Recently, Iceland has begun to express an interest in joining the
WGC but no formal request has been made. Denmark (in respect of the
Faeroe Islands), the EU, Iceland, Norway, and the Russian Federation are
members of the NEAC. In the case of the NAC, the EU may submit and vote
on proposals for regulatory measures concerning salmon stocks
originating in the territories of its member States. Canada and the
United States each have similar rights in the case of the NEAC.

Dr. Ken Whelan (EU) was elected President of the Council for 2005-06 and
Mr. Arni Isaksson (Iceland) was elected Vice Chair.

The Council agreed to ask outgoing President Jacque Robichaud to become
a "Special Advisor" to NASCO, in addition to serving as Chair of the
IASRB. We understand that the position is to be considered part of the
Secretariat, although he will receive no salary or benfits. He is to be
a resource for the incoming President, to be used at his discretion.
Although Mr. Robichaud will receive no salary, the new position has
budgetary implications as "honorarium" in the sum of 7,000 Pounds
Sterling has been established to pay for Mr. Robichaud's travel
expenses. Mr. Robichaud is retired from the Canadian Government and,
therefore, has no direct access to funds from government sources.

C. Programs:

[Scientific Advice]{.underline}: Scientific advice is provided to NASCO
by ICES. The Advisory Committee on Fishery Management (ACFM), a standing
committee within ICES, provides information on catch statistics and
associated research results in response to the specific requests from
NASCO. At the 1992 annual meeting, the NASCO Council established a
Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), composed of a scientist and a
management representative from each of NASCO\'s three geographic
commissions, to formulate requests for future scientific advice from
ICES. The SSC is designed to ensure that questions to the scientific
working groups are formed to reflect accurately the information desired
by managers. This arrangement is being continued, as it seems to be
working well.

The outlook for Atlantic salmon stocks throughout the NASCO Convention
Area is not good. ICES classifies the North American stock complex to be
outside safe biological limits because the overall conservation limits
for North American stocks were not met in any area. Considering that the
biological objective is to have all rivers reach their conservation
requirements and that there is no commercial fishery for Atlantic salmon
and that the majority of catches take place in-river, river-by-river
management is necessary. To the extent possible, interceptory mixed
stock fisheries on North American-origin stocks have been minimized. On
individual rivers where spawning requirements are being achieved, there
are no biological reasons to restrict the harvest of salmon in excess of
the spawning requirements. However, in 2003, in spite of all these
measures, the USA met only 4.9% of its spawner requirements and
therefore is well outside its safe biological limits. There is reason
for continued serious concern.

Three out of the four Northeast Atlantic Commission Area salmon stocks
are considered to be outside of their safe biological limits. ICES
recommends that exploitation of each stock complex within each region be
decreased to the lowest possible level in order to increase the
probability of exceeding the conservation limits. Moreover, due to the
differing status of individual river stocks within the complex, ICES
considers that fisheries on non-maturing one sea winter salmon should be
prosecuted only on the river stocks that are shown to be above their
conservation limits.

[Non-Contracting Party Fishing]{.underline}: Fishing for Atlantic salmon
by non-Contracting Parties to the NASCO Convention has been an issue for
the organization for some time. At the 1992 meeting held in Washington,
D.C., the Council approved a protocol to the NASCO Convention for
signature by non-Contracting Parties to NASCO. The protocol was designed
to provide non-Contracting Parties with a legal instrument for the
creation and enforcement of domestic legislation and regulations. It
calls upon non-members to prohibit the fishing of Atlantic salmon stocks
beyond the areas of fishing jurisdiction of coastal states and to take
appropriate actions to enforce the provisions of the protocol. The NASCO
Council also approved a resolution calling upon NASCO Parties to
encourage non-Contracting Parties fishing for salmon on the high seas to
comply with the protocol, and to obtain and compile information on such
fishing. The NASCO Secretariat was given the task of devising a
mechanism by which Parties to the NASCO Convention may approach states
in which vessels observed to be fishing on the high seas for Atlantic
salmon are registered and of documenting and disseminating information
on high seas fishing activities contrary to the protocol.

To date, no non-Contracting Parties have become bound by the protocol,
although certain non-Contracting Parties (i.e., Panama and Poland) have
taken actions to address the problem of salmon harvesting vessels
registered in their countries. There have been no sightings of
non-Contracting Parties fishing for salmon since February 1994. However,
there have been few surveillance flights conducted over the winter and
spring periods preceding NASCO annual meetings. Past estimates of catch
taken by non-member vessels fishing in international waters has been
25-100 metric tons (mt).

The Council considered and did not pursue a proposal to conduct a pilot
project to assess the utility of radar satellite data for the detection
of salmon fishing by non-Contracting Parties in international waters;
however, NASCO agreed to continue to consider the usefulness of
satellite surveillance systems in this regard. Toward that end, NASCO
intends to hold a follow-up meeting to its 1993 meeting in the next few
years with coast guard/fishery protection agencies to review the results
of a study of Norwegian satellite surveillance systems. NASCO will also
continue to liaise with the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization
and the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) with a view to
obtaining relevant information on sightings.

[Unreported Catch]{.underline}: ICES recommended that measures be taken
to improve accounting for the significantly high amount of salmon catch
often reported as \"guess-estimates.\" At its 1997 meeting, NASCO
approved a proposal for refining the estimates of unreported catch and
adopted a proposal that the NASCO Secretariat carry out a review on such
catches. A review of catch statistics at the 1998 NASCO meeting
indicated that approximately 25 percent of the total North Atlantic
salmon harvest was attributable to unreported catch. To improve
reporting of salmon catch statistics, the Parties agreed to provide data
to ICES on a stock basis and to try to categorize this catch in
accordance with specified criteria. At its 1999 meeting, NASCO noted
continuing concern about the high level of unreported catches and agreed
to refine the process developed in 1998 to assist in addressing this
problem. At the 2000 meeting, the Council noted that estimates of
unreported catches remained high (32 percent of the total 1999 salmon
harvest). Illegal fishing appears to be a major contributing factor to
the continuing high level of unreported catch, although not in all
countries. Continuing concern was expressed about the high level of
unreported catch and the Council emphasized the need to take stronger
measures to address this issue. The Council asked that all parties
provide a breakdown of their 2000 reported catch and took note of the
FAO initiative to develop an international plan of action (IPOA) to
address illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing and
considered additional action to combat IUU fishing. A 2002 review of
available information indicated that unreported catches for 2001 were
estimated to be between 962 and 1,374 mt (a small reduction from 1999
and 2000. Progress is being made to reduce the level of unreported catch
but additional work is needed. In 2003 NASCO recommended that the
parties further clarify the methods used to estimate unreported catch
and the reliability of these estimates.

With regard to catch and release, NASCO noted that this was not a
component of unreported catch; however, the parties agreed to advise
annual on the extent of this activity, and to provide updates regarding
methods to improve and harmonize reporting.

[Research]{.underline}: At its 1995 Annual Meeting, NASCO first
considered conditions under which research fishing by Contracting
Parties might be undertaken. While all agreed that harvesting salmon for
scientific research purposes could provide valuable management
information, some were concerned that such research fishing could be
contrary to Article 2 of the NASCO Convention. Following the 1995 Annual
Meeting, the Parties considered a resolution to establish such a
procedure, but for various reasons, NASCO was not able to adopt the
resolution as presented. At the 1996 Annual Meeting, the Parties
considered revised resolutions on the topic and adopted a resolution
setting forth a procedure to allow research fishing. The measure does
not distinguish where such fishing occurs (i.e., within areas of
national jurisdiction or on the high seas) and allows research fishing
provided certain safeguards are observed. Since the adoption of the
resolution, NASCO has approved research-fishing proposals from several
of its members. Most recently, NASCO approved a research proposal from
Canada covering the Outer Bay of Fundy and extending to the northern
Gulf of Maine during the period May 25 to June 17, 2002.

Due to concerns about marine survival of salmon, the Council agreed at
its 2000 meeting to set up a working group to develop ideas for a 5-year
international cooperative research program to identify and explain the
causes of increased marine mortality of Atlantic salmon and to consider
ways to counteract this problem. The working group met in 2000 and
developed a proposed research program that was considered at the 2001
NASCO meeting. At that meeting, NASCO established the International
Atlantic Salmon Research Board (IASRB). It has met three times since its
establishment and is in the process of identifying and coordinating
needed research and finding funding sources. The third meeting was held
prior to the 2004 NASCO Annual Meeting. The Research Board reviewed its
Scientific Advisory Group's meeting minutes, reviewed the Board´s
financial records and received an update on the fund raising initiatives
of the Secretary and President. The Board agreed to continue its work in
providing a comprehensive list of ongoing research by the Parties
related to Atlantic salmon mortality at sea and to host a workshop in
Ireland in October 2004 to further develop the program of research
outlined in the SALSEA Project. SALSEA is a major multi-disciplinary
international collaborative program of research into Atlantic salmon
mortality at sea initially developed by scientists from the North
Atlantic region. Jacque Robichaud, former NASCO President who is retired
from the Canadian Government, serves as Chairman of the Board.

The IASRB was established to be quasi-independent from NASCO. Although
it has its own financial rules, it has been suggested that NASCO's
Finance and Administration Committee (FAC) undertake financial oversight
of the Board. A review of the rules governing the IASRB is to be
undertaken in 2005, at which time this issue will be reviewed. NOAA
Fisheries has transferred \$150,000 to the the Board to advance the work
plan agreed by NASCO. Other NASCO members will also contributing funds
or making in-kind contributions.

[Precautionary Approach]{.underline}: In 1997, the Council agreed to
establish a working group to consider how the precautionary approach
might be applied to NASCO\'s work. Its first meeting was held in January
1998 and representatives of ICES and FAO were invited to attend. At its
1998 annual meeting, NASCO adopted an agreement on adoption of the
precautionary approach, which was largely developed at the 1998
intersessional. The key provisions of the agreement were: (a) NASCO and
its Contracting Parties agree to adopt and apply a precautionary
approach; (b) NASCO and its Contracting Parties should apply the
precautionary approach to the entire range of NASCO salmon conservation
and management activities; and (c) the application of the precautionary
approach should focus on (1) management of North Atlantic salmon
fisheries, (2) the formulation of management advice and associated
scientific research, and (3) introductions and transfers including
aquaculture impacts and possible use of transgenic salmon. To further
this work, NASCO adopted the Action Plan for the Application of the
Precautionary Approach to Salmon Management at its 1999 meeting. The
action plan provides a framework to further implement the precautionary
approach in NASCO and establishes a standing committee to oversee this
work. The action plan addresses such issues as: management of fisheries;
socioeconomic issues; unreported catches; scientific advice and research
requirements; stock rebuilding programs; introductions, transfers,
aquaculture and transgenics; habitat issues; and bycatch. The agreement
by NASCO to apply the precautionary approach to its work represents a
significant milestone in cooperation by the Parties. The NASCO Parties
recognized that ultimate development of the precautionary approach will
take many years and will seriously challenge the resources of the
organization and its members.

The standing committee on the precautionary approach (SCPA) has met each
year since 2000. It has produced a decision structure for use by the
Council and Commissions as well as by relevant authorities of NASCO
member in the management of single and mixed stock salmon fisheries. The
SCPA has also developed a plan of action for the application of the
precautionary approach to the protection and restoration of Atlantic
salmon habitat. NASCO held a special session in 2002 for Parties to
report back on the implementation of the action plan. A report is
available from the NASCO Secretariat. At the 2002 session, the SCPA met
to consider the application of the precautionary approach to
introductions, transfers, aquaculture, and transgenics. The effort
focused on reviewing relevant NASCO measures to improve their
consistency with NASCO's definition of the precautionary approach. The
effort resulted in a revision and broadening the Oslo Resolution,
including incorporating into it all other NASCO measures addressing
introductions, transfers, aquaculture and transgenics (i.e., the
guidelines on transgenic salmon, the NAC protocols, and the NEAC
resolution, and the guidelines on containment). In addition, guidelines
on stocking were developed and appended. The new and improved resolution
was dubbed the Williamsburg Resolution.

At the 2003 Annual Meeting, the Council adopted the Resolution . The
Resolution was adopted as a living document that was expected to evolve
with experience in implementation and with new information. At the 2004
meeting, the Council adopted the following definition of transgenic to
clarify the use of the term within NASCO: "an organism that has been
modified by genetic engineering to contain DNA from an external source."
In addition, the text concerning transgenic salmon in the Williamsburg
Resolution was changed to clarify that not all NASCO Parties are
signatories to the Biosafety Protocol (Cartegena Protocol for the
Convention of Biological Diversity).

NASCO further adopted guidelines to incorporate social and economic
factors into the precautionary approach. The Parties agreed to apply
these guidelines over the next year and to revisit them at the next
NASCO annual meeting to consider the need for revisions. NASCO also
asked the United States to be the lead for a pilot study to develop a
bioeconomic model of a component of the North Atlantic salmon fishery. A
small meeting or meetings of technical experts may need to be convened
before the 2005 NASCO meeting in order to complete this work.

At its 2003 meeting, NASCO adopted preliminary guidelines on the use of
stock rebuilding in the context of precautionary management of salmon
stocks. Over the last year, a working group gathered input from parties
on the draft guidelines, which were modified and presented back to the
Council in 2004 for adoption. The Stock Rebuilding Guidelines, which
were adopted by the Council, lay out the framework for what needs to be
included in a rebuilding program for Atlantic salmon, including: an
evaluation of stock status and the threats that it faces; identifying
and prioritizing actions necessary for rebuilding; identifying interim
measures and milestones to gauge progress; assessment of socio-economic
factors; and identification and inclusion of stakeholders in the
rebuilding process. The guidelines also include reporting measures,
asking parties to provide information on their stock rebuilding
programs, as well as suggestions on how the guidelines could be
improved. The Stock Rebuilding Guidelines tie in with other documents
adopted under the precautionary approach, including those on the Action
Plan for the Protection and Restoration of Atlantic Salmon Habitat, the
Decision Structure on Management of Atlantic Salmon Fisheries, the
Guidelines on Stocking of Atlantic Salmon, and the Guidelines on
Incorporating Social and Economic Factors in Decisions under the
Precautionary Approach.

The NASCO Council agreed that the Secretariat (rather than each Party)
will post and maintain the habitat database on the NASCO website. A
small working group, representative of all NASCO Parties, will work with
the U.S. Atlantic Salmon Advisory Committee in database development,
revising the existing rivers data, entering new river and habitat data,
and conducting periodic reviews and updates of the databases.

[Transgenic Salmon]{.underline}: The Council considered a resolution on
transgenic salmon at its 1996 meeting that would begin to address
concerns about the possibility that transgenic salmon (i.e. salmon that
have had genes from another organism introduced into them) will interact
with and negatively affect wild salmon stocks. Due to disagreements over
procedure, this resolution was not adopted at or after the 1996 meeting.
At its 1997 meeting, NASCO again considered this issue. The document
\"Guidelines for Action on Transgenic Salmon\" was adopted in lieu of a
resolution. Under these guidelines, the Parties agreed to advise NASCO
of any proposal to permit the rearing of transgenic salmonids, providing
details of the proposed method of containment and other measures to
safeguard the wild stocks. At the 2000 NASCO meeting, it was reported
that a company located in Atlantic Canada is producing transgenic salmon
in a secure, land-based facility. The government of Canada had not yet
received a formal proposal for commercial rearing, but would take
appropriate steps should such a proposal be received. The United States
reported that preliminary discussions were taking place between a
company rearing transgenic salmon. In 2001 NASCO provided comments to
the USFDA concerning the use of transgenic salmon in aquaculture
operations but no response was received. The United States reported that
consultations between the various government agencies concerned were
ongoing and that NASCO would be kept informed of any developments.

[Oslo Resolution]{.underline}: In 1994, NASCO adopted a resolution
directed at minimizing impacts from salmon aquaculture on wild salmon
stocks. At its 1997 meeting, the Council agreed to hold an
intersessional meeting in early 1998 of its Working Group on
Implementation of the Oslo Resolution to consider further the
implementation of the Resolution in light of information arising from
the 1997 ICES/NASCO symposium on the interaction between cultured and
wild salmon. At the 15^th^ Annual (1998) Meeting of NASCO, all of the
Working Group's recommendations were adopted and the Secretary was
charged with preparing a document containing both the Oslo Resolution
and the newly adopted recommendations. Further, in response to one of
the Working Group recommendations, the NASCO Parties submitted for
review at the 1998 meeting detailed information on their efforts under
the Oslo Resolution. Based on this review, NASCO decided to hold a
special session, in conjunction with the 1999 NASCO annual meeting, and
each year thereafter, to review and evaluate implementation of the Oslo
Resolution by two individual NASCO members. In 1999, Canada and Norway
made such reports. Two EC Member States made similar reports at the 2000
NASCO meeting. The United States, Iceland, and the Faeroe Islands
offered presentations at the 2001 NASCO meeting.

In addition, NASCO has recognized the need to involve the salmon farming
industry in efforts to protect the wild stocks through improved salmon
farming management. Toward that end, NASCO established a Wild and Farmed
Salmon Liaison Group with the International Salmon Farmer's Association
(ISFA) to effect closer cooperation with the salmon farming industry.
This group has meet several times since its inception, but participation
does not include NGOs. In addition, not all Parties' aquaculture
industries are included in the ISFA. These have been and may continue to
be issues at future meetings of this group. The Liaison Group has
developed guidelines on physical containment and husbandry practices and
these were adopted by NASCO. They have since been incorporated into the
Williamsburg Resolution. The Liaison Group met in 2002 to consider the
Williamsburg Resolution among other things. ISFA will provide any
feedback to NASCO before its annual meeting. In addition, at its recent
meeting, the Liaison Group received information on possible areas for
cooperative research.

While it was agreed that a workshop should be held before the 2004 NASCO
meeting to consider this work further, afull Liaison group meeting was
not held in 2004. A small meeting was held to discuss how to explore how
the Liaison Group could be put back on a firmer footing with a greater
level of commitment. To this end, the small group developed a statement
of commitment that was considered by the Council. In addition to other
documents agreed by the Council, it was agreed that the actions outlined
in the commitment document would serve as a good basis for further
cooperation with the farming industry. The next meeting of the Liaison
Group will be held in May 2005 in Brussels as proposed by the
International Salmon Farmers Association. In addition, a joint workshop
with ISFA will be held in August 2005 in Norway.

With regard to aquaculture, NASCO also agreed to support the following
meetings: a joint ICES/NASCO symposium on interactions between wild and
aquaculture fish, scheduled for October 2005 in Norway and an EU
(Scotland) proposed workshop on methodologies for marking farmed salmon.
The latter meeting was held in December 2004.

[Bycatch]{.underline}: During its 1997 meeting, the Council requested
ICES to investigate possible increases in salmon bycatch due to
expansion of pelagic fisheries for herring and mackerel in the northeast
Atlantic in 1997, noting that even a very small percentage of catch of
salmon post-smolts could mean significant losses. At its 1998 meeting,
NASCO agreed that it needed further information on the possible bycatch
of salmon in pelagic fisheries and asked the Secretariat to request such
information from the Contracting Parties and from the NEAFC. At the 1999
NASCO meeting, the Parties expressed continuing concern about the
bycatch issue, noted that investigations into the issue were being
initiated, and again agreed to provide any available information for
consideration. At the 2000 NASCO meeting, the Council referred the issue
of at-sea bycatch of Atlantic salmon to the working group on marine
mortality discussed under the research section above. In 2001, ICES
confirmed that a preliminary review indicated that bycatch of salmon in
the mackerel fishery could be significant. NASCO also noted that there
were no specific research proposals presented to the research board
designed to look into this matter and recommended that project proposals
to assess bycatch be given high priority.

**Acid Rain**: Acid rain was identified as a major problem affecting
wild Atlantic salmon by causing premature mortality, and in some cases
extirpation of salmon populations. The United States and Canada reported
in the NAC meeting that they are cooperating in the investigation of the
causes and effects of acid rain on salmon and in mitigation techniques.
Both sides would like to expand this cooperation where appropriate.
Because acid rain has implications for all stocks in the North Atlantic,
it was agreed that this item would be placed on the NASCO Council agenda
in 2005 and in subsequent years.

**Predator-related mortality:** The Parties reported to the Council
regarding impacts of predation of piscivorous birds, fish and mammals on
salmon populations, research related to this issue and, where
applicable, ongoing research related to this issue. The U.S. report
highlighted two projects: (1) an experimental liming project aimed at
reducing early marine predation by altering pH levels to ease the
transition from freshwater to saltwater for emigrating salmon smolts in
the Dennys River in eastern Maine, and (2) a project using non-lethal
means to displace foraging double-crested cormorants from the lower
Narraguagus River and estuary during smolt migration. No results are yet
available from either study. The Parties agreed that the Secretary
should review all the information submitted and to summarize available
knowledge on impacts. In addition, it was noted that the IASRB will be
considering this issue in the future as part of a broader discussion of
mortality at sea.

[Transparency]{.underline}: At its 2001 meeting, the Council reviewed
its communications policies and decided to develop its press release
through a drafting group; improve the NASCO website; to adopt two new
conditions concerning NGO participation at NASCO annual meetings and to
adopt a new condition concerning media participation that restricted
media participation to the opening session of the Council. Regarding the
NGO rules, one precluded NGOs from issuing press releases or other
information concerning issue under discussion at the meeting while the
NASCO meeting was in progress and the other specified that accreditation
would be removed from any NGO that had not been actively involved with
the organization within the last three years (i.e., attended a meeting
or communicated with the Secretariat). The restriction on the issuance
of press releases created immediate controversy.

NASCO adopted a rule in 2002 forbidding accredited NGOs from
distributing press releases or other information on issues being
discussed at the annual meeting while the meeting was underway. This
action was taken despite concerns expressed by some that such a blanket
prohibition was overly restrictive. Following the adoption of this rule,
a difficulty arose unexpectedly when an NGO immediately defied it by
issuing a press release. This action detracted from the main purpose of
the meeting and resulted in two NGOs losing their accreditation. The
issue remains unresolved. The United States continues to seek a
compromise to this situation.

Transparency issues surrounding the development of ICES scientific
advice were raised at the 2004 NASCO meeting. Some parties expressed
concern that allowing NGOs to participate as observers in ICES working
group meetings could jeopardize the unbiased nature of scientific advice
expected from ICES. Since the ICES Atlantic salmon working group would
not be involved in the initial NGO observer experiment, NASCO agreed to
monitor the situation and to review the ICES experience with this
approach.

**Actions Taken by NASCO's Three Regional Commissions:**

[NAC Discussions/Actions]{.underline}: Given the continuing poor status
of North American salmon, there are no commercial fisheries prosecuted
by the United States or Canada. Canada does allow some recreational
fishing for salmon in certain rivers. In addition, there is a small
aboriginal food fishery in Atlantic Canada on Quebec's Lower North
Shore. For the United States, it is illegal to retain any sea-run
Atlantic salmon, but there is a target harvest fishery in the Merrimack
River for reconditioned brood stock. In late 2000, certain U.S. salmon
populations were listed as endangered on under the U.S. Endangered
Species Act. Despite these efforts, evidence suggests that returns to
U.S. Rivers have declined.

With regard to the fishery at St. Pierre and Miquelon, the Parties
expressed increasing frustration in 2003 regarding the failure of
ongoing efforts to establish a cooperative sampling program. St. Pierre
et Miquelon (SPM) is an overseas department of France that lies off the
coast of Newfoundland. It is not part of the European Union, and
therefore not represented by the EU at NASCO. The NAC protocols on
introduction and transfer have been in the process of being revised for
a number of years primarily due to issues raised by Canada. The
consultation process in Canada is taking longer than expected. Fisheries
in SPM took 2.8 MT of Atlantic Salmon in 2003. Gathering data on these
catches and performing DNA analysis that can determine the origin of
fish harvested would be useful. In 2003, France (in respect of SPM)
agreed to begin a research program on the SPM fishery but this did not
immediately include genetics work. In 2004, for the first time ever, a
French official attended the NASCO meeting as an observer. He reported
on the interest of France (in respect of SPM) to undertake a cooperative
program with Canada in 2004-05 to gather genetic samples and other
information on the fishery, which will be provided to both ICES and
NASCO.

During the 2004 NASCO meeting, parties discussed the current fishing
environment Given the extremely poor condition of North American salmon
stocks, commercial fisheries have been eliminated. Some aboriginal food
fisheries and recreational fisheries do exist in Canada. Mr. George
Lapointe (USA) was elected Chair of the NAC for 2005-06 and Mr. Guy
Beaupre (Canada) was elected Vice Chair.

[WGC Discussions/Actions]{.underline}: Efforts have been made over the
last decade or so to use scientific advice and, where possible, a
mathematical model to derive quotas for the West Greenland fishery. The
use of the model to determine quotas had varying degrees of success. In
1996, the approach broke down completely and Greenland set a unilateral
quota of 174 mt, of which 92 mt were harvested. To avoid another
impasse, discussions regarding future quota setting procedures for West
Greenland took place prior to the 1997 annual meeting. This led to the
adoption of an addendum to the 1993 agreement that specified that the
quota allocated to West Greenland would be the higher of the Calculated
Quota (as calculated according to the 1993 agreement using a pre-fishery
abundance forecast at a 50 percent probability level) and the Reserve
Quota, which is based on an allocation to Greenland, for 1997 of 6
percent of the forecast pre- fishery abundance level using the
biological parameters provided by ICES in 1996. In accordance with the
amended agreement, the WGC set a reserve quota of 57 mt which was
inclusive of all forms of catch (including an estimated 20 mt of local
sales and subsistence fishing). Greenland reported that its 1997 harvest
was 63 mt. The slight over- harvest was due to landing reports that were
submitted after the fishery was closed. The 1993 agreement, as amended,
expired at the end of the 1997 salmon-fishing season.

Prior to the 1998 annual meeting of NASCO, Greenland indicated its
readiness to accept a 1998 quota based on application of the 1997
reserve quota formula. Use of the reserve quota system would have
resulted in a 33 mt quota; however, there was concern that the
pre-fishery abundance estimates were uncertain and likely too high.
Because of the poor stock condition and the uncertainty surrounding the
pre-fishery abundance, an agreement was reached that limited the salmon
fishing activity in West Greenland to internal consumption only during
1998. In the past, this internal consumption fishery has been estimated
at approximately 20 mt. The reported catch figure for 1998 was 11 mt. In
addition, the Greenland Home Rule Government estimated that there was an
unreported catch of about 11 tons. A key element of the 1998 agreement
was recognition of improvements in salmon catch monitoring and reporting
in Greenland. Significantly, Canada's action regarding Labrador,
together with the regulatory measure adopted for West Greenland, meant
that for the 1998 fishing year, commercial fisheries for Atlantic salmon
in the northwest Atlantic were virtually eliminated. This situation
continued from 1998-2000.

In 2001, scientific advice seemed to indicate that a commercial fishery
was again viable in West Greenland. However, there was concern that this
decision was based on expected returns and that it would be better to
tie harvest levels to actual returns. An ad hoc management regime was
devised that would allow anywhere from 28 mt to 200 mt of commercial
harvest depending on the level of documented returns as determined by
CPUE analysis. A total of 34.5 mt were harvested for commercial sale. In
2002, a similar measure was adopted, but it was more risk averse than
the 2001 approach. The commercial catch could be anywhere from 20-55 mt
depending on the CPUE analysis. In fact, no commercial fishery was
prosecuted in 2002 due to a conservation agreement that was developed
and agreed between various private sector organizations and Greenland's
fishermen that compensated the Greenlanders for not fishing.

At the 2004 NASCO meeting, ICES provided scientific advice to the West
Greenland Commission (WGC) stating that it considered the stock complex
at West Greenland to be outside safe biological limits and therefore
that none of the stated management objectives would allow a fishery to
take place. In light of that advice, a regulatory measure was agreed in
the WGC to restrict the catch at West Greenland in 2004 to that amount
used for internal subsistence consumption in Greenland, which in the
past has been estimated at 20 tons. There will be no commercial export
of salmon from Greenland in 2004. The EU, Denmark (on behalf of
Greenland), Canada, and the US also agreed to continue to cooperate on a
joint sampling program in 2004 to collect biological samples from the
catch. Ms. Patricia Kurkul (USA) was elected Chair of the WGC for
2005-06 and Ms. Julie Barrow (Canada) was elected Vice Chair.

[NEAC Discussions/Actions]{.underline}: The NEAC provides for the
management of the intercept salmon fishery off the Faeroe Islands.
Although quotas have been established through NASCO for the Faeroese
fishery for many years, there has been no commercial fishery in the
Faeroe Islands since 1991. Until 1998, a private sector quota purchase
arrangement bought the quota harvesting rights. In 1998, no purchase
agreement was reached for the NASCO established 380 mt quota, but only a
6 mt research fishery was prosecuted. During negotiations in 1997
regarding the 1998 quota, Denmark (in respect of the Faeroe Islands)
stressed that it would not accept further reductions in the Faeroese
quota without appropriate \"burden sharing\" by other NEAC members. The
Faeroe Islands have repeatedly noted that they are a small island
territory dependent on harvesting marine resources and they have
insisted on a need for significant quotas. (The 1997 quota established
for the Faeroese fishery was 425 mt.) Ultimately, a regulatory measure
was adopted for 1998 that established the 380 mt quota mentioned above
and established other restrictions on season and gear. At the 1998 NASCO
meeting, the NEAC agreed to a 1999 quota of 330 mt for the Faeroese
fishery, of which Denmark (on behalf of the Faeroe Islands) agreed to
harvest only 290 mt. In a significant development, the NEAC recognized
the importance of establishing conservation limits on a river stock
basis within the NEAC area. Private sector interests did not purchase
rights to the 1999 quota, but no commercial fishery was prosecuted.

At the 1999 NASCO meeting, the NEAC again noted the ICES advice that
great caution should be exercised regarding the exploitation of the
northeast Atlantic salmon stock. After difficult negotiations, the NEAC
agreed to a quota of 300 mt for the 2000 Faeroese fishery, of which
Denmark (with respect of the Faeroe Islands) noted it would allocate no
more than 260 mt. Additional restrictions to reduce fishing effort and
season length and to protect undersized salmon were also agreed. At the
1999 meeting, Denmark (in respect of the Faeroe Islands) announced their
intention to resume a commercial harvest of salmon in 2000. The results
of this fishing will be reported at the 2001 NASCO meeting. In the
interim, all other members of NASCO signed a letter to the Faeroe
Islands expressing concern about their intent to resume commercial
salmon fishing.

In its 2000 scientific advice (relative to the 2001 fishery), ICES noted
that caution should be exercised regarding exploitation of most stocks
found in the NEAC area. In the face of increasing evidence that the
stocks in that area are declining, NEAC members, particularly the EC and
Denmark (in respect of the Faeroe Islands) were under increasing
pressure to reduce salmon quotas and exploitation to levels consistent
with scientific advice. Thus, at the 2000 NASCO meeting, the NEAC
adopted a regulatory measure that lays the groundwork for more
scientifically based management measures. Specifically, the measure: (1)
states that the NEAC decided against setting a quota for the Faeroe
Islands for 2001, (2) recognized the right of the Faeroe Islands to
harvest salmon within their area of jurisdiction and the restraint
offered by that country in recent years by not utilizing their quotas,
(3) provides that the NEAC members will work expeditiously with ICES in
an effort to develop a more science based approach to quota setting. (4)
provides that the NEAC will develop a fair and equitable approach to
allocations, and (5) notes the intention of the Faeroe Islands to manage
its fishery in a precautionary manner and that fishing will be limited
in scope and will be subject to close national surveillance and control.
The measure agreed in 2000 for the 2001 Faeroe Islands fishery signifies
a major milestone as it marks a significant change from the previous
practice of allocating a large paper quota to the Faeroe Islands.
Similar approaches were taken in 2001, 2002, and 2003 for those fishing
seasons, although some countries expressed a preference to set a
specific quota.

During the 2004 NASCO meeting, The Commission received scientific advice
from ICES, which recommended that exploitation should be reduced to the
lowest possible levels and that there should be no fishery in the Faroe
Islands. Despite concerns by some parties that the Commission was not
meeting its regulatory obligations, the Commission decided not to set a
quota for the Faroe Islands fishery for 2005.

Mr. Steinar Hermansen (Norway) was elected Chair of the NEAC for 2005-06
and Mr. Andrew Thomson (EC) was elected Vice Chair.

**[Future Meetings]{.underline}**: At the 20^th^ anniversary meeting of
NASCO held in 2004, the Parties agreed that it would be appropriate to
undertake a review of the Organization. They recognized the changing
environment in which NASCO operates and the need to ensure that it is
equipped to address the challenges of the future. A Working Group was
created to conduct this review in close cooperation with stakeholders.
Input from a wide range of interested and potentially affected parties
were solicited in consultative meetings held in the winter 2005. Options
and recommendations are being prepared by the Working Group to be
considered by the NASCO Council at the 2005 Annual Meeting. Norway will
chair the working group. The Parties will hold the 22nd meeting in
Vichy, France, June 6-10, 2005.

**[Staff Contacts]{.underline}**

[NOAA Fisheries]{.underline}

Headquarters:

Kimberly Blankenbeker

Foreign Affairs Specialist

International Fisheries Affairs Division

Office of International Affairs (F/IA)

National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

1315 East-West Highway, Room 12635

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: (301) 713-2276

Fax: (301) 713-2313

Northeast Region:

Mary Colligan (F/NER)

National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

One Blackburn Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

Telephone: (978) 281-9116

Fax: (978) 281-9394

Department of State:

Office of Marine Conservation (OES/OMC)

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20520-7818

Telephone: (202) 647-2335

Fax: (202) 736-7350