Times New RomanAGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OSLO RESOLUTION Reporting Procedures1.  The Parties should provide comprehensive information to the Council in advance of each Annual Meeting concerning the measures in force to minimise the impacts from aquaculture on the wild salmon stocks.  This information should be based on the list of measures contained in Annex 1.  The returns should indicate whether or not the measures are mandatory and how they are enforced.  The information provided by the Parties should be recorded by the Secretariat in a database in the same way as the information provided under Articles 14 and 15 of the Convention. 2.  During NASCO's Annual Meetings time should be allocated on the agenda for discussion of the measures taken by the Parties to minimise the impacts from salmon aquaculture on the wild salmon stocks.  The Council should focus each year on the measures implemented by two or three Parties so that experiences of minimising impacts of salmon aquaculture can be shared.Measures3.  In order to have confidence that the wild stocks are protected from irreversible genetic change, from ecological impacts and from the impacts of diseases and parasites, the measures in the Oslo Resolution should be fully implemented.  Stronger measures should be considered where appropriate.4.  The Council agreed not to change the structure of the Oslo Resolution but to clarify the differences between enhancement, ranching and farming and to stress that the major aquaculture impact is currently that of salmon farming. ensuring that the existing measures in the Oslo Resolution concerning enhancement and the guidelines on stocking being developed by the Council, if and when agreed, are fully implemented. ensuring that the measures in the Oslo Resolution concerning ranching are fully implemented.that the measures in the Oslo Resolution concerning salmon farming are fully implemented.8.  While it is appreciated that it is in the interests of the salmon farming industry to minimise escapes, and that there have been improvements to cage structures to reduce escapes, containment measures are currently not adequate to deal with the problem.  Renewed efforts should, therefore, be made to minimise escapes and a more effective enforcement policy should be adopted by the Parties.  Efforts to improve recapture procedures should be increased provided that these can be conducted without adversely affecting the wild stocks.  9.  There is a need to cooperate on improvements in the management of salmon farming so as to reduce escapes and protect wild stocks.  There should be a closer co-operative effort on developing guidelines on physical containment measures and husbandry practices for salmon farms.  The salmon farming industry should be invited to participate in this process.  Efforts should be made to obtain better data on the effectiveness of containment measures and on the level of escapes.10.  Sterile salmon might offer a way forward to protect the genetic integrity of the wild stocks but there could be disadvantages in terms of yield, fish health, ecological impacts, consumer resistance and other marketing factors.  However, these disadvantages need to be balanced against the risks to the wild stocks from existing practices.  This question should be the subject of a substantial review by the Council in 1999 when the results of ongoing research should be available.11.  The Parties should give emphasis, where appropriate, to the use and effects of wild salmon protection zones.  Whilst not included in the Oslo Resolution, gene banks, though expensive, can be of value as a measure to protect the genetic diversity of the wild stocks, where these are threatened with loss, and as part of restoration programmes.RomanIntroductions and Transfers12.  The North-East Atlantic Commissions Resolution containing guidelines to protect wild salmon stocks from introductions and transfers and the North American Commissions Protocols on introductions and transfers, although not yet fully implemented, are consistent with the Oslo Resolution.endorses the recommendations of the Convenors of the ICES/NASCO Symposium for future research.  In addition, research into the effects of time spent in sea cages prior to escape on rate of return of farmed salmon, and on methods to reduce predator damage at salmon farms, would be desirable.  Details of relevant ongoing research should be submitted to NASCO with the annual returns made under Article 15 of the Convention so that the Council may play a role in avoiding duplication of research effort. strongly endorses the need for close dialogue with the salmon farming industry through the Liaison Group established between NASCO and the International Salmon Farmers´ Association (ISFA).                                                        Annex 1.The Resolution By The Parties To The Convention For The Conservation Of Salmon In The North Atlantic Ocean To Minimise Impacts From Salmon Aquaculture On The Wild Salmon StocksNormalTimes New Roman(Where additional space is required to complete your return, please use separate sheets and indicate which section the measures refer to (e.g. 1.2.2)). mal Normal al ormal mal Normal alImplementation of the Oslo Resolution was adopted by the Council at its Sixteenth Annual Meeting in June 1999.