Introduction

        The North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) was established by the Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean, which was signed in February 1992 by Canada, Japan, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America (Original Parties) and entered into force in February 1993.  The Republic of Korea became a member of the NPAFC in May 2003.  The objective of the NPAFC is to promote the conservation of anadromous stocks in the Convention Area and it serves as a forum for the cooperation and coordination of scientific research and enforcement activities.  As a part of its scientific activities, the NPAFC publishes its Statistical Yearbook series for fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean starting with data for 1993.  The yearbook, which contains annual catch statistics of certain fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean and numbers of released salmon fry and smolts, is an official publication and may be cited as reference material.

        The yearbooks have been published annually from 1993 to 1998 in printed form, containing the statistics for the relevant calendar year.  Since the 1999 issue, the yearbooks have been published annually in CD-ROM format.  In addition, all issues are available at the NPAFC website (www.npafc.org).  Every three years, starting from the 1999-2001 issue, a hard copy including tri-annual data are being published in printed format.

        The catch statistics presented in this yearbook are for: the North Pacific salmon fisheries of Canada, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States for the years 2002-2004; the groundfish, herring, shrimp, and crab fisheries of Canada and the United States for the years 2002-2004; Poland in the North Pacific waters (mainly groundfish) for the years 1978-2004; the People’s Republic of China in the North Pacific Ocean for the years 1998-2004; Korean fisheries other than salmon for the years 2002-2004; and Taiwan in the North Pacific Ocean for the years 1977-2004.  Additionally, juvenile salmon releases data of Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States for the years 2002-2004 are also reported in this yearbook.  Any revision/update on data presented in this publication will be posted on the NPAFC website (www.npafc.org).

        Except where otherwise noted, the “year” is the calendar year.  All weights are expressed in round weight.  The status of data submitted and information on conversions made are shown in footnotes to the tables.

        The NPAFC expresses appreciation to the following editorial group members and fisheries organizations for their cooperation and assistance in providing data for this Statistical Yearbook:

 

Editorial Group for Statistical Yearbook:

James Irvine (Canada)
Sukyung Kang (Republic of Korea)
Natalia Klovach (Russia)
Loh-Lee Low (United States)
Toru Nagasawa (Japan)

Canada: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region, Regional Data Unit, Pacific Biological Station

Japan: Fisheries Agency of Japan, Fisheries Research Agency

Republic of Korea: Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Russia: Pacific Scientific Research Fisheries Centre (TINRO-Centre)

United States: National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Washington State Department of Fish and Game, Oregon State Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department  of Fish and Game

People’s Republic of China: Bureau of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture

Taiwan: Fisheries Administration, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan

International Organizations: International Pacific Halibut Commission, Pacific Salmon Commission