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Introduction There is growing concern about the abundance of salmon stocks around the North Atlantic, particularly multi-sea-winter salmon, which appears to have declined due to factors which are poorly understood but which have resulted in reduced survival in the marine environment. Many populations are threatened despite the major sacrifices resulting from the increasingly stringent management measures which have been implemented in the last decade. Very strong conservation measures have been taken but the salmon are still not responding in the way that had been hoped. In such difficult circumstances, new philosophies and approaches will be needed if the Organization is to fulfil its objective of conserving, restoring, enhancing and rationally managing salmon stocks. In response to this situation, a new approach to the conservation, management and exploitation of Atlantic salmon will guide the work of NASCO and its Parties in the new millennium. The Precautionary Approach, which provides a framework under which the Atlantic salmon and its environments are managed and conserved, requires that more caution be exercised when information is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate, and that the absence of adequate scientific information is not used as a reason for postponing or failing to take conservation and management measures. This new approach, which is likely to be an evolving process over a number of years, will influence the entire range of the salmon conservation and management activities of NASCO and its Parties, although initially, application will be in relation to management of the North Atlantic salmon fisheries, the formulation of management advice and associated research and introductions and transfers (including impacts of aquaculture). A detailed Action Plan has been agreed which will guide NASCO and its Parties with regard to the work required for application of the Precautionary Approach over the coming years. The life-cycle of the salmon is complex, and it is vulnerable to impacts from many different sources. Clearly, no single factor is responsible for the problems facing the Atlantic salmon, and NASCO has, therefore, continued to act on a broad front. As this report shows, action is being taken in relation to by-catch, fishing in international waters, catch and release, unreported catches, introductions and transfers, habitat issues, impacts of aquaculture and regulatory measures. In accordance with a Precautionary Approach, the first steps have also been taken in developing a framework for stock rebuilding programmes. Clearly, there are many challenges ahead throughout the North Atlantic area in the conservation of this valuable natural resource, but our aim must be to continue to address the wide-ranging pressures on the resource so that when conditions in the sea improve, the stocks are able to rebuild to their former abundance. The ultimate judges of our conservation actions will be the salmon themselves. |
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