Report of the NAFO Performance Review Panel - Northwest Atlantic ...

NAFO Performance Review 2011xviiaddresses ecosystem components more widely, not just those for harvested, orassociated, species alone. In these terms, NAFO should focus on the sustainable useof the entire ecosystem for which it is responsible rather than just fishery-targetspecies.10. Endorses NAFO‟s continuing execution of its customary (target species-directed)management requirements and assessesments for the stocks that it manages. Itshould also strive to address new challenges associated with further developmentof the EAF (Section 4.3) and increased formalization of the PAF (Section 4.6.2) etc.The use of standardized, well-understood and scientifically robust approachesmust continue while the needs of fishery-directed and broader ecosystemmanagement should remain balanced.11. Urges the Scientific Council to review the current absence of any formally-defineddecision rule(s) framework for the application of the PAF. The Panel notes thatthis gap may exacerbate perceived differences between the Scientific Council andFisheries Commission. The Scientific Council should also develop a strategy to beused in applying the PAF to new and exploratory fisheries specifically.12. Encourages NAFO to review the Exploratory Fisheries Protocol with a view todeveloping a strategic framework for conservation and management measures forall potential new and exploratory fisheries. In this respect, NAFO may wish to takeaccount of the way in which CCAMLR has approached the issue 12 in terms ofdeveloping a unified regulatory framework.13. Notes that 8 to 11 above implies that priority should continue to be given toconsidering the extent to which the PAF is also applied in an ecosystemmanagement context.14. Encourages NAFO to broaden consideration of MSE-type approaches to managingother fisheries for which it is responsible.15. Recognizes that a NAFO strategic imperative should be to articulate a specific planaimed at developing ways to conserve biodiversity. NAFO, in general, and theScientific Council in particular, are also encouraged to formally determine thepotential effects that areas closed to fishing are likely to exert in terms of affectingfishing, protecting habitats and conserving biodiversity in the NAFO ConventionArea.16. Encourages NAFO to consider whether activities other than fishing in the NAFOConvention Area may impact the stocks and fisheries for which NAFO isresponsible as well as biodiversity in the NAFO Regulatory Area. Such activitiesmight include oil exploration, shipping and recreational activities.17. Urges the Fisheries Commission to further consider how the management offishing, particularly of excess capacity, may augment stock sustainability and themeeting of the Convention‟s objectives.18. Urges NAFO to deal with lost or abandoned fishing gear in a more consistentmanner. It should also consider efforts to introduce management measures to dealmore widely with environmental protection issues 13 (e.g. pollution, discarding of1213At: http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/E/sc/reg-frw-intro.htm.For example, CCAMLR has a Conservation Measure (CM) in place (CM 26-01) to provide general environmentalprotection during fishing. A number of CCAMLR Resolutions (Res.) also aim to reduce the risks of environmental damageby dealing with vessel safety (Res. 20/XXII, 23/XXIII, 29/XXVIII) and potential sources of pollution (28/XXVIII), such asballast water. Available at: http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cm/10-11/toc.htm.