RFMO

Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) is an intergovernmental organization created by international treaty to manage fish stocks in a defined region, often covering highly migratory species or stocks that cross national boundaries. RFMOs establish binding conservation and management measures for member states and, in many cases, for non-member states that choose to abide by the agreed rules. They typically set catch limits, determine allocations among members, impose gear restrictions, regulate fishing effort, designate closed seasons and areas, and adopt measures to reduce bycatch and protect habitats. They also promote data collection, stock assessments, and scientific research through established scientific committees and collaborations with international scientific bodies.

Governance and membership vary by treaty but usually include a commission of representatives from member states, supplemented by technical committees or expert groups. Compliance is supported by monitoring, control, and surveillance programs, including vessel observations, catch reporting, port state measures, and licensing schemes. Enforcement relies on member state action and, where available, regional enforcement cooperation.

RFMOs operate under broader international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and many are tasked with implementing the UN Fish Stocks Agreement. They coordinate with other regional bodies, exchange data, and adopt conservation measures across borders to ensure sustainable fisheries.

Well-known examples include the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).