The International Commission for Northwest Atlantic Fisheries was established in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries which was concluded at Washington on February 8, 1949, andentered into force on July 3, 1950. The Convention, which was signed by Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom for itself and Newfoundland, and the United States, established an International Commission with the following purposes and responsibilities: to keep under continuous review all the pertinent information concerning the international fisheries of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean; to coordinate and disseminate all information concerning such fisheries; and to make recommendations to member governments on conservation action deemed necessary to maintain the fisheries at a maximum level of sustained production.