About the NEAFC Scheme

Within the NEAFC regulatory area fishing vessels must abide by both the current management measures and the NEAFC Scheme of Control and Enforcement. Vessels which fail to do so may be considered to be participating in illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing.

NEAFC normally makes changes to these regulations annually but they can happen throughout the year if there is consensus between the Contracting Parties.

Changes to the "New" and "Transitional" versions of the NEAFC Scheme were made at the 2024 Annual Meeting. The objection period for changes will ended on 04 January 2025, at which time the decisions become binding on Contracting Parties, and subsequently entering into force between Feb 03 and March 07 (depending on the recommendation). During 2025 these changes are listed with all other measures currently in force on this page Current Measures.