Data entry notes:
Not yet in force - last activity 2016. On 28 September 2007, after a two-year process, NAFO adopted a document entitled "Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries", constituting the first formal step towards a reformed Convention for NAFO. In 2008 the French version of the NAFO Convention was adopted paving the way for the ratification process. The adopted text now has to be ratified by at least three-fourths of the NAFO Contracting Parties to become legally binding. The complete process is described in Article XXI of the current NAFO Convention. "The Amendment revises the Convention comprehensively with the primary purpose of making it more in line with other regional Conventions and international instruments and of incorporating modern concepts on fisheries management. The Amendment thus streamlines the structure of the organisation, introduces clear definitions of the responsibilities of Contracting Parties, Flag States and Port States, provides for a more coherent decision making process and modernises the contribution formula for the NAFO budget. Finally, the Amendment provides for a dispute settlement mechanism in case disputes arise between Contracting Parties."