May 14, 1999
(Executive Council)

Premier welcomes Parliament's approval of legislation to move ahead with the U.N. Convention to protect straddling stocks

Premier Brian Tobin welcomed passage by Parliament of Bill C-27, amending the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, so that Canada can ratify the United Nations Fisheries Agreement (UNFA), also known as the Straddling Stocks Convention.

"In approving Bill C-27, which amends the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, Canada has demonstrated leadership against the problem of foreign overfishing," said the premier. "Bill C-27 ensures that Canada retains the necessary powers to prevent a return to overfishing of straddling stocks outside the 200 mile limit."

In 1994, Premier Tobin, then Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, introduced legislation in Parliament, which allowed Canada to take enforcement action outside of its 200 nautical mile limit and arrest the Spanish vessel Estai in March 1995.

Also in 1995, Canada spearheaded adoption by the United Nations of a new convention on international conservation and enforcement (UNFA) to protect straddling fish stocks (like cod, flounder and turbot) and highly migratory fish stocks (like tuna) outside 200 miles.

"International cooperation is essential to protect straddling stocks from overfishing outside 200 miles," said Mr. Tobin. "Bill C-27 allows us to ratify UNFA, while maintaining the ability to take unilateral action to stop foreign overfishing of straddling stocks outside 200 miles, if this is needed."

The premier called upon the federal government to proceed now with swift ratification of UNFA.

The United Nations Fisheries Agreement has been ratified by 21 countries. The agreement requires ratification by 30 parties to come into force. The premier urged Canada to renew its efforts to have other nations ratify the agreement as soon as possible.

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, (709) 729-3960.

1999 05 14                                       9:40 a.m.