U
The Arctic

Arctic Fisheries

Arctic Fisheries are becoming increasingly significant. As fish stocks continue to move north, the apparent result of climate change, the importance of engaging international partners, fisheries scientists, and the policy makers in discussions of conservation and management of future fisheries in the Arctic Ocean are of utmost concern.

2009 International Arctic Fisheries Symposium: Managing Resources for a Changing Arctic

IDENTIFYING CURRENT MANAGEMENT REGIMES IN THE ARCTIC REGION AND LEARNING HOW RELEVANT SCIENTIFIC AND FISHERIES DATA CAN BE USED TO INFORM FUTURE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

The Institute of the North, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State, and a myriad of other state and national organizations hosted the International Arctic Fisheries Symposium, in which 180 delegates from eight nations met in Anchorage on October 19-21, 2009 to discuss the conservation of fish stocks and the potential for future fisheries management in the Arctic Ocean.

The intended goal of the International Arctic Fisheries Symposium was to bring together some 200 participants to help identify current management regimes in the Arctic region and to examine how relevant scientific and fisheries data can be used to inform future management decisions. Through presentations, concurrent sessions and panel discussions, the symposium was designed to identify gaps in existing management regimes and potential steps to address those gaps, as well as the need for improved scientific programs.

“We are experiencing major changes in some fish stocks in the sub-Arctic region,” said Ben Ellis, coordinator for the symposium and form member of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. “The symposium will be an opportunity for policy makers and scientists from around the Arctic to compare notes and have a measured discussion concerning a possible roadmap for the future.”

Organized by the Institute of the North, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State, the symposium was sponsored by the North Pacific Research Board; the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council; Oceana; NOAA; the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Marine Conservation Alliance, the North Slope Initiative; the University of Alaska School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences; the U.S. Arctic Research Commission,; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the U.S. Coast Guard.

More Information

Visit: HTTP://WWW.NPRB.ORG/IAFS2009/ for proceedings of the symposium, including presentations, a list of those attending and other reference materials.