CONTACT: Gordon J. Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/26/96
The United States was successful in its initial meeting as a member of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Several U.S.-sponsored initiatives and hard- fought U.S. fish allocations highlighted the U.S. involvement in NAFO's recent meeting in St Petersburg Russia, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced.
"One of the goals for the U.S. at this meeting was to increase conservation and restoration of NAFO-regulated stocks through our participation on the NAFO Fisheries Commission and Scientific Council," said Will Martin, U.S. federal commissioner to NAFO. "To meet this goal, an exceptionally strong team of U.S. scientists will serve on the council as part of the United States' increased commitment to the organization."
The U.S. delegation also led efforts to begin implementing a precautionary approach to fisheries management, much like the approach the U.S. has taken in New England groundfish fisheries, and to allow outside observers access to NAFO meetings and studies. A working group was established to further discuss observer access, with the United States taking a leadership role to pursue this matter prior to next year's meeting.
The increased fish quotas were an unexpected bonus for U.S. fishermen. Prior to the meeting many NAFO member countries indicated to the United States it would be impossible to get additional quota shares during the first year as a member country -- that it would take several years to be included in this system. However, a strong U.S. delegation apparently convinced NAFO members that the United States is willing to reinforce its presence within the Northwest Atlantic fishing community.
The United States has been allocated 90 metric tons of Division 3M redfish (the Flemish Cap area) and 2,000 metric tons of Illex squid in Subareas 3 and 4 (off Canadian federal waters). The subject of quota allocations will also be further discussed as an item on next year's NAFO meeting agenda.
National quotas in the fisheries under the NAFO agreement are decided according to pre-determined quota shares. Although representatives had attended as observers for many years, this was the first time the United States had attended a NAFO meeting as a member country.
The mission of NAFO is to provide for continued multilateral consultation and cooperation with respect to the study, appraisal, and exchange of scientific information and views relating to fisheries of the convention area and to conserve and manage the fishery resource.