Minister has productive meeting in the Faroe Islands

Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today commented on his recent trip to the Faroe Islands where he attended the Nordic Conference on Protection of the Sea and Sustainable Utilization of Living Marine Resources in the North Atlantic. The Government of the Faroe Islands, in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers, invited environment and fisheries ministers and regional political leaders from across North America to discuss issues of mutual interest.

"This conference was the first of its kind, and was designed to bring together political leaders from the North Atlantic countries, states, and provinces, to start a process to sharpen the focus on the North Atlantic region, in terms of the need to protect the marine environment, and ensure the sustainable utilization of living marine resources," said Reid. "The conference highlighted the need to look at the North Atlantic in a holistic and integrated way in order to better understand the marine environment and its importance from economic, cultural and environmental perspectives."

A major aim of the conference was to build relationships between the various North Atlantic countries and provinces, in order to support future cooperation on marine research, conservation, and protection. The conference built on the success of similar cooperation between the Nordic countries. Attending the conference were participants from the Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, Shetland Islands, the European Community, and Canada. In addition, there were representatives from a number of political, environmental, and media organizations.

"The conference included a number of speakers covering a wide range of topics, including marine pollution, the cultural importance of the North Atlantic marine environment, environmental dynamics of the North Atlantic, sustainable economics of fisheries management, future cooperation for sustainable resource development, and the EU Common Fisheries Policy," added Reid. "It was a great opportunity for me to gain a greater understanding of fishery issues facing North Atlantic neighbours, and also to educate them about the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador."

"In addition, I had the opportunity to speak with my counterparts from Iceland and Denmark about the 20 per cent tariff on Newfoundland and Labrador shrimp into the EU countries," said Reid. "We had an open a frank discussion about this issue, which is prohibitive for this province's fishing industry. These countries are not major players in the EU, however if we are able to garner their support on this issue, it would certainly be beneficial to our goal of having the tariff permanently removed."

A highlight of the conference was the signing of the Declaration on Cooperation on the Protection of the Sea and the Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources in the North Atlantic. The declaration recognizes the important role that the marine environment plays in the past, present and future socioeconomic character of the countries of the North Atlantic. It also recognizes the important responsibility that these countries have to conserve and protect the living marine resources of the region. As well, the declaration supports continued cooperation among the countries and the desire to implement an integrated approach to utilizing and protecting the North Atlantic ecosystem.

Minister Reid shared the Newfoundland and Labrador experiences and challenges associated with the collapse of the Northern cod stock. He spoke of the dramatic and difficult transition from a dependence on the groundfish fishery to a more diversified fishing industry.

"North Atlantic countries share common challenges related to fish stock declines, over-capacity, over-populated seal herds, the threat of marine pollution, and the lack of scientific knowledge to better manage fish resources," said Reid. "It was also clear that aquaculture development has made great strides in bringing prosperity and stability to coastal communities. As well, there was a common feeling of concern for the future sustainablility of ocean resources, particularly the marine fish resources. A theme of common challenges and opportunities was evident throughout the conference."

Through the declaration, political leaders agreed to continue to work cooperatively on issues of importance to the ocean and people dependent on ocean resources. The next meeting of the North Atlantic Conference will be held in 2003 in the Shetland Islands. 
Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-3733 or (709) 727-3438.

2001 06 29                                                            3:30 p.m.