The North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) is an international inter-governmental organization established by the Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean. The Convention was signed on February 11, 1992, and took effect on February 16, 1993. The member countries are Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and United States of America.
As defined in the Convention, the primary objective of the NPAFC is to promote the conservation of anadromous stocks in the Convention Area. The Convention Area is the international waters of the North Pacific Ocean and its adjacent seas north of 33° North beyond the 200-mile zones (exclusive economic zones) of the coastal States. For the purposes of NPAFC, anadromous fish include Pacific salmon and steelhead trout. Anadromous stocks are the stocks of these species that migrate into the Convention Area. In the Convention Area, NPAFC anadromous fish Conservation Measures are the following:
-Prohibiting directed fishing for anadromous fish (with the exception of scientifically reviewed and approved research fishing)
-Reducing to the maximum extent possible the incidental taking of anadromous fish
-Prohibiting retention of anadromous fish on board a fishing vessel that has taken anadromous fish incidentally while fishing for other species
Almost all Pacific salmon and steelhead trout in the Convention Area originate in the waters of NPAFC member countries. Each member has the primary interest in and responsibility for harvest and conservation of their own anadromous stocks. The member countries manage their harvest strategies within their 200-mile limit and conduct conservation actions to sustain their stocks. Prohibition of directed fishing and forbidding retention of anadromous fish in the NPAFC Convention Area allows Pacific salmon and steelhead to return to the home waters of the member country, where the benefits of each member’s investments in harvest management and conservation can be enjoyed.
