This Conservation and Management Measure (CMM 2024-16) establishes binding rules for the protection of specified anadromous fish stocks (listed in Annex 1) within the NPFC Convention Area. The measure is grounded in the NPFC Convention, particularly Article 3(d) on associated stocks, and recognizes the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of anadromous species, as well as the need for a precautionary approach. It also seeks to ensure that NPFC policies on anadromous fish complement the work of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) under an existing Memorandum of Cooperation.The measure applies to all fishing vessels on the NPFC Vessel Registry operating in the Convention Area. It requires NPFC Members and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (CNCPs) to ensure that their vessels do not engage in directed fishing for anadromous fish and do not retain or otherwise possess such fish on board. An explicit exception is provided for vessels authorized to conduct research activities under NPAFC competence. Where anadromous fish are incidentally captured, vessels must return them to the water without delay and in a manner causing the least harm, and Members and CNCPs must encourage fishing practices that avoid or minimize incidental capture to the maximum extent practicable. On monitoring and reporting, the measure obliges Members and CNCPs to ensure that vessels maintain on-board records of incidentally caught and released anadromous fish, by species where possible, and make these records available to authorized inspectors. All Members and CNCPs must annually report all incidentally caught and released anadromous fish in the Convention Area to the NPFC Secretariat, again by species where possible. Annex 2 provides a species identification aid to support accurate recording and reporting.
2024-07-24