Regulatory measures

In both of the years covered by this report, the Commission agreed regulatory measures for the Faroese fishery.  Under these measures, the total nominal catch was set at 330 tonnes and 300 tonnes for the calendar years 1999 and 2000 respectively.  Additional measures required that areas with salmon below 60cm in length be closed to salmon fishing at short notice; that the number of boats licensed for salmon be limited to 10 in 1999 and 8 in 2000; that the salmon fishing season be limited to 150 days in 1999 and to 120 days in 2000; and that subject to the total allowable catch, the total allowable number of fishing vessel days be set at 930 in 1999 and 800 in 2000.  If fishing licences are issued the Faroese Home Government indicated that it would allocate less than the total quota.  Thus 290 tonnes and 260 tonnes would be allocated in 1999 and 2000 respectively.  Additionally, the Faroese Home Government indicated that it would seek to reduce the fishing effort by 7 days in April 1999 and by 7 days in December 1999.

The quotas for 1999 and 2000 were agreed as interim measures leading towards a quota based on a predictive model as soon as such scientific advice is available.

Introductions and transfers

In 1997, in response to growing interest in movements of salmonid fish for aquaculture, restoration or enhancement purposes, and the risks these movements of fish pose to the wild stocks, the Commission adopted a Resolution to Protect Wild Salmon Stocks from Introductions and Transfers.  It was recognised at this time that there could be possible conflicts with international trade agreements under the World Trade Organization (WTO).  However, subsequent consultations with the WTO have indicated that there is scope under their agreements to restrict or prevent trade to protect fish life and health and to prevent or limit other damage, taking into account internationally agreed standards.  The consultations also indicated that as NASCO is the relevant international organization dealing with salmon conservation issues, if measures were agreed by NASCO to protect wild salmon stocks, there is nothing in the WTO agreements to prevent the resolution of any disputes within NASCO.

In the interests of transparency, the Commission agreed to introduce an annual reporting system for measures taken by the Parties to protect wild salmon stocks from introductions and transfers in accordance with the Resolution.  Under this reporting procedure the information provided by members of the Commission will include details of:

• known movements into the Commission area of live Atlantic salmon and their eggs which have originated from outside the Commission area;
   
• proposals to release transgenic salmonids to the environment;
   
• any epidemiological zones, i.e. zones free of specific pathogens, which have been established;
   
• new management measures which have been undertaken within epidemiological zones, and of any known movements of live salmonids and their eggs from a zone where a disease is present to a zone free of that disease;
   
• new procedures and changes to existing procedures for the early identification and detection of and rapid response to an outbreak of a new disease or parasitic infection likely to affect salmon;
   
• any known movements of live salmonids and their eggs from hatcheries to areas containing Atlantic salmon stocks, or to facilities where there is a risk of transmission of infection to such areas, other than those from facilities where regular inspections have not detected significant diseases and parasites;
   
• management measures concerning introductions and transfers developed for each class of river specified in the Resolution;
   
• known introductions of non-indigenous fish species into a river containing Atlantic salmon;
   
• steps taken to limit the risks from unintentional introductions (e.g. in ships' ballast water or through release of live bait, etc.).