NASCO - North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization:
Description
The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) is an international organisation, established by convention in 1984, whose aim is to conserve, recover, enhance and rationally manage Atlantic salmon through international cooperation, bearing in mind the best available scientific information.
The Convention enables seven Governments and the European Union to co-operate for the conservation of the wild Atlantic salmon.
The Parties to the Convention are Canada, Denmark (in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland), the European Union, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. France (in respect of St. Pierre & Miquelon) attends NASCO’s meetings as an observer.
NASCO operates through a Council and three Committees, the Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC), the International Atlantic Salmon Research Council (the Council) and the Secretariat. Intergovernmental organisations, States not party to the Convention, accredited indigenous representatives and institutions (IPRI) and accredited non-governmental organisations (NGOs) may all be observers to NASCO.
In 2024, NASCO approved a ten-year Strategy and Action Plan, which in turn forms the basis for its fourth reporting cycle, beginning in 2026, in which Performance Indicators and Conservation Commitment Reports will be used to measure progress towards the implementation of NASCO Resolutions, Agreements and Guidelines. Previously, progress in implementing these resolutions, agreements and guidelines was assessed through a review of Implementation Plans and Annual Progress Reports.
RFMO location and website
North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization
11 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2AS
Website: https://nasco.int/
Geographic Area
Regulated Species
The Convention applies to salmon stocks that migrate beyond the fishing zones under the jurisdiction of the coastal states of the Atlantic Ocean north of 36°N latitude and throughout their entire migratory range. It also applies to salmon stocks whose fishing is prohibited beyond the areas of fishing jurisdiction of coastal states.
Fishing for salmon is prohibited beyond 12 nautical miles from the baselines, except in the following areas:
a) in the West Greenland Commission area, up to 40 nautical miles from the baselines; and,
b) in the area of the North-East Atlantic Commission, within the fisheries area under the jurisdiction of the Faroe Islands.
Legislation
- NASCO Convention - Council Decision 82/886/EEC of 13 December 1982;
- Management and conservation measures adopted by NASCO;
- Regulatory measures in the Faroe Islands;
- Regulatory Measures in West Greenland.