The organization's mission is to contribute through consultation and cooperation to the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks.
It was established due to the failure of independent states to protect a global common such as the salmon population in this case. It was argued that international cooperation was necessary to prevent unsustainable over-fishing. The NASCO has established a handful of regulations and guidelines regarding the fishing of salmon, for example, countries are only able to fish within 12 nautical miles of their territory, prohibiting fishing in most of the North Atlantic.[1]
In 2020, the NASCO operates with a budget of 636 630 GBP, with a little over 583 000 GBP coming from the member states.[2]
The secretariat currently has 5 full-time employees based at the Headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland.[8]
In the council, each member state is represented and decisions are made based on a three quarter majority.[9]
The main tasks of the council include:
• Providing a forum for the study, analysis and exchange of information on salmon.
• Coordinating the activities of the Commissions.
• Establishing working arrangements with other fisheries and scientific organizations.
• Making recommendations for scientific research.[9]
