About NPAFC

Short Description of the Convention

The main objective of the Convention is to promote the conservation of anadromous stocks in the Convention Area.

Convention Area

The waters of the North Pacific Ocean and its adjacent seas, north of 33 degrees North Latitude beyond 200-miles zones of the coastal States.

   View Convention Area Map

Species

The anadromous fish covered by the Convention are as follows:

	Chum salmon	(Oncorhynchus keta)
	Coho salmon	(Oncorhynchus kisutch)
	Pink salmon	(Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
	Sockeye salmon	(Oncorhynchus nerka)
	Chinook salmon	(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
	Cherry salmon	(Oncorhynchus masou)
	Steelhead trout	(Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Conservation measures under the Convention

1. Prohibition of directed fishing for anadromous fish in the Convention Area.
2. Minimization to the maximum extent of the incidental taking of anadromous fish
3. Prohibition of the retention on board a fishing vessel of anadromous fish taken as an incidental catch during fishing for non-anadromous fish.

Science

The Convention authorizes fishing for anadromous fish in the Convention Area for scientific research purposes under national and joint research programs approved by the Commission. It is understood that such taking of anadromous fish for scientific research purposes must be consistent with the needs of a program and with the provisions of the Convention and should be reported to the Commission.

The Parties to the Convention cooperate in the conduct of scientific research under the NPAFC Science Plan in the Convention Area, which may include, as appropriate, research on other ecologically related species. The Parties also cooperate in collecting, reporting and exchanging biostatistical information, fisheries data, including catch and fishing effort statistics, biological samples and other relevant data pertinent to the purposes of the Convention.

The Parties upon the Commission's request provide catch, enhancement and other technical information and materials pertaining to areas adjacent to the Convention Area from which anadromous stocks migrate into the Convention Area. The Convention provides for the development of cooperative programs, including observer programs, to collect fishing information in the Convention Area for the purpose of scientific research. The Convention also provides for cooperation in scientific exchanges such as seminars, workshops, and exchanges of scientific personnel.

Enforcement

All necessary measures are taken by each Party to ensure its nationals and fishing vessels flying its flag comply with the provisions of the Convention. Each Party has the authority to board, inspect and detain fishing vessels of the other Parties found operating in violation of the Convention. Article V of the Convention gives the details of the enforcement mechanism and provides that only the authorities of the Party to which the violating person or vessel belongs may try the offense and impose penalties. It is also stipulated that imposed penalties are commensurate with the serious nature of the infractions.

The Parties cooperate in exchange of information on any violation of the provisions of the Convention and on enforcement action. The Parties exchange with their enforcement plans.