INTRODUCTION
Produced by Dr Nigel Milner who is the IFM Observer at NASCO
This report describes key events and outcomes of the 41st Annual Meeting of NASCO, held in Westport, Ireland, 3-7th June 2024, as seen through the Non-Governmental Group (NGO) on which the IFM has a formal observer representation. It covers generic North Atlantic topics but focuses on matters relating to salmon in UK and Ireland.
As usual in this report, reference is made to reports that are available on the NASCO website. The meetings schedule is in CNL(24)03, the annotated agenda in CNL(24)03A) and a summary of all the business is in CNL(24)88. Note that much NASCO business is done during the year between the annual meetings, particularly in this year to progress recommendations of the External Performance Review (EPR) through the Working Group on the Future of NASCO (WGFON) and to conclude the Stocking Guidelines revisions.
NASCO annual meetings conform to a fixed agenda revolving around the routine work of the three commissions (American, West Greenland and Northeast Atlantic) NASCO’s support committees and boards, notably the International Salmon Research Board (IASRB), and task focussed working groups, with Special Sessions on selected topics. Four topics this year were(i) Recommendations of WGFON on NASCOs future Strategy and Action Plan, (ii) The revisions to the IP/APR process and preparation of the next reporting cycle (2025-2030), (iii) Revisions to Stocking Guidelines and (iv) the Pink Salmon threat.
HEADLINES
1. ICES reported record low catches in 2023. Their assessment for 2024 shows that salmon stocks remain in poor condition and advise that no harvest is permissible in interceptory fisheries or individual rivers unless stocks exceed the Conservation Limit.
2. Regulatory measures for the Faroes and West Greenland fisheries. No change from last year. WG catch was 32.5mt (vs quota of 27mt)
3. Iceland rejoined NASCO in 2024.
4. A Special Session on Parties’ Implementation Plans and Annual Progress Reportsmade important proposals to improve the reporting and assessment of their actions to restore and protect salmon. This begins with the next (4th) reporting cycle (2025-2030). Crucially, this involves standardised pressures analysis to prioritise future actions, streamline and simplify reporting.
5. NASCO has considered External Performance Review recommendations through aWorking Group on the Future of NASCO (WGFON) and developed a revised Strategy and Action Plan, to which the NGOs made input. This important change brings opportunities to reverse the decline of salmon and progress their restoration, but a lot of developments are required to implement the changes and it will not be quick.
6. A Theme-based Special Session on pink salmon described the massive increase and range expansion of this invasive species in Norway in 2023 (350,000 caught) and described the major and largely successful efforts to remove them from rivers.
7. NASCO Stocking guidelines have been revised and will be an important source of advice.
8. The NGO Group is revising its organisation, evaluating capacity and, through a proactive intersessional programme, to engage with the next reporting cycle, to help NASCO achieve its goals for salmon.
You can read the full report from Nigel below