STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS FOR NAFO

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Improving Fisheries Governance in the Northwest
Atlantic 11th North Atlantic Fisheries
Ministers ConferenceJune 8-9, 2006


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Presentation Outline

• Current Context
• International Pressure for Actions
• On-going Reform Processes
• High Seas Task Force
• Expectations of Results
• Program of Work for Upcoming Year

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Current Context

• Overfishing is a global challenge
• Calls for strong actions to end illegal fishing
  worldwide
• In the North Atlantic
• Governments are becoming more responsible and
  engaged in increasing vessels compliance and
  empowering governance
• Commitment by Ministers in various fora to
  address overfishing
• Continued Ministerial commitment is crucial

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International Pressures for Action

• IUU fishing (around 30 of world harvest) exerts
  pressure on legal fisheries
• Impatience for improved management of fisheries
  and ecosystems
• Public awareness of fisheries issues
• Pressures for drastic action from environmental
  groups
• Overcapacity still leads to overfishing
• Continuing non-compliance by some vessels of
  RFMOs Contracting Parties
• Illegal fishing by non Contracting Parties

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On-going Reform Processes

• North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission
• Already well engaged
• Newer Conventions helping reform NAFO
• Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization
• Progress was achieved toward amendments to the
  Convention

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High Seas Task ForceAn Example of Political Will

• Small group of fisheries ministers and NGOs
  launched practical measures to
• expose and deter illegal, unregulated and
  unreported fishing
• improve the effectiveness of enforcement
  measures and
• modernize international governance frameworks
  (RFMOs).

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Expectations of Results

• Urgent need for concrete results.
• Coastal communities facing economic and social
  adjustments.
• RFMOs need to regain public confidence.
• Sustainable fisheries is the only way ahead.
• NAFMC has an important role to play

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The way forward

• Model RFMO standard
• NAFO Reform
• These two initiatives are
• Implementing international standards, including
  UNFA, and best practices
• Integrating ongoing initiatives with short term
  impacts and long term benefits and
• Building a coalition of international support.

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Next Steps for NAFO Reform

• Finalize Working Group recommendations to
  modernize the Convention.
• Develop consensus, and focus on clear and
  progressive results
• Finalize STACTIC (Compliance and Enforcement)
  recommendations for reform.
• Agreement on provisional application of measures

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Next Steps for the Model RFMO Standard

• A tool for self-assessment based on
• best practices worldwide
• current legal and conservation standards and
• guidance by a panel of experts, with direction
  from a Steering Committee of countries.
• Scheduled to be completed by Spring 2007

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Program of Work for Upcoming Year

• Continue reform processes already started
• Other areas of improvement
• Joint inspection patrols
• Action on conservation-related infringements