The 2025 Conservation and Enforcement Measures (CEM) of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) establish a regulatory framework for the conservation, management and control of fisheries in the NAFO Regulatory Area. The instrument applies to all fishing vessels operating in the area and sets out provisions on catch and effort limitations, including total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas specified in Annex I for key stocks such as cod, redfish, shrimp and Greenland halibut. It also regulates bycatch limits, minimum fish sizes, gear requirements and seasonal or area closures, including specific restrictions for certain stocks (e.g. cod closures and shrimp fishing limitations). The measures incorporate rebuilding strategies and precautionary reference points for depleted stocks (notably cod and American plaice), and establish conservation rules for sharks and other species. In addition, the instrument provides for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs), including closures of seamounts, coral areas and other ecologically sensitive zones, as well as procedures for exploratory fishing and encounter protocols. The CEM further incorporates ecosystem-based fisheries management by protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems from bottom fishing, including mapping fishing areas and regulating exploratory activities. It sets out detailed port State control measures governing landings, transhipments and port access, requiring prior authorisation, inspection procedures, and cooperation between flag and port States. In addition, it mandates surveillance and enforcement procedures, including boarding and inspection protocols. The scheme also addresses illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through measures targeting non-Contracting Party vessels, including port inspections and restrictions on interactions with such vessels. Overall, the CEM integrates conservation, monitoring, enforcement and international cooperation mechanisms to ensure sustainable use of fisheries resources and compliance within the NAFO Regulatory Area. The CEM is structured into eight chapters covering conservation and management, protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, vessel authorization and requirements, monitoring and reporting, observer programmes, inspection and surveillance, port State control, and measures concerning non-Contracting Party vessels. Core provisions include catch and effort limitations, quota allocations, gear and size regulations, labelling and reporting obligations, as well as monitoring through logbooks and control systems. The framework also details vessel identification, chartering rules, and establishes a system of observers and at-sea inspections to ensure compliance and data collection.
2018-01-01