NEAFC adopts management measures

Based on Coastal State Agreements, management measures for the two major pelagic fisheries (Norwegian Spring Spawning herring and blue whiting) were agreed as were management measures for Rockall haddock and deep-sea fisheries.

For pelagic redfish in the Norwegian Sea and for pelagic redfish in the Irminger Sea, arrangements similar to those for 2009 were agreed. With regard to mackerel, meetings allowing continued consultations with a view to reaching agreement on measures that can be adopted by NEAFC later are ongoing.

A ban on using gillnets in waters greater than 200m depth was maintained as were measures to remove and dispose of unmarked or illegal fixed gear and retrieve lost gear to minimise ghost fishing.

Considering the poor status of the shark stock of spurdog in the Northeast Atlantic, the ban on directed fisheries of spurdog was continued.

NEAFC also adopted a ban on discards in NEAFC high seas fisheries.

To protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and in line with scientific advice, NEAFC extended the area closed to fisheries on the Hatton Bank and closed an area south of the Icelandic EEZ known as spawning ground for blue ling. A proposal to extend the closures on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was sent to the ICES for scientific comments.

NEAFC noted the continued results of the NEAFC IUU (Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported) A- and B-lists. The NEAFC Port State Control System has continued to work without problems and is deemed to have led to a significant reduction in unreported catches in the NEAFC area.

Based on information on vessels on the IUU B-list that had sunk or been scrapped, NEAFC removed 10 vessels from the B-list.

As the incumbent President Mr Stefán Ásmundsson, Iceland ended his three year term, NEAFC elected Dr Sergey Belikov, the Russian Federation, as President for 2010-2012.

Johán H. Williams, Norway, was elected first Vice-President and Andrew Thomson, EU, was elected second Vice-President for the same period.