Recommendation 10:2021 to amend Recommendation 19:2014 on the Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area, as amended. Country/Territory Document type Regulation Date 2021 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Data collection/reporting Monitoring Protected fishing area Fishing gear/fishing method Precautionary principle High seas Ecosystem preservation Coral Deep sea bed Marine area Aquatic animals Abstract The objective of this Recommendation is to ensure the implementation by NEAFC of effective measures to prevent significant adverse impacts of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems known to occur or likely to occur in the NEAFC Regulatory Area based on the best available scientific information provided or endorsed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). This Recommendation takes into account NEAFC’s responsibility as a regional fisheries management organisation to adopt measures in the Regulatory Area in regard to bottom fishing, in order to contribute to the key objectives of the UN General Assembly Resolutions on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and to ensure the long-term sustainability of deep sea fish stocks and non-target species; the rebuilding of depleted stocks and, where scientific information is uncertain, unreliable, or inadequate, conservation and management measures established consistent with the precautionary approach. This Recommendation shall be without prejudice to any sovereign rights of coastal States over the continental shelf in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea for the purpose of exploring and exploiting its natural resources, including living organisms belonging to sedentary species, such as vulnerable marine ecosystems. For the purpose of this Recommendation, NEAFC will take into account the guidance provided by the FAO in the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and any other internationally agreed standards, as appropriate. The Commission shall, taking account of the advice provided by ICES, and that provided pursuant to Article 7.3, as well as data and information arising from reports pursuant to Article 8 adopt conservation and management measures to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs. Full text English Website www.neafc.org References - Legislation Amends Recommendation on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NEAFC Regulatory Area (Rec. 19:2014). Legislation | 2014 (2015) Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Data collection/reporting, Monitoring, Protected fishing area, Fishing gear/fishing method, Precautionary principle, High seas, Ecosystem preservation, Coral, Deep sea bed, Marine area, Aquatic animals Source: FAO, FAOLEX