NLIS 6
August 2, 2002
(Environment)

 

Minister to address environmental sustainability and fisheries issues with federal minister

Kevin Aylward is scheduled to meet with David Anderson, federal Minister of Environment, to discuss environmental sustainability particularly related to fishery issues. Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the province, and Minister Aylward have been cooperatively asking the federal government to put the foreign overfishing issue on the environmental agenda.

The United Nations agreement on straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish species was signed in 1995 to establish compatible conservation measures both inside and outside the 200-mile zone. The agreement came into force December 11, 2001. Canada ratified the agreement in 1999; the European Union has yet to ratify.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans produced a report in June 2002 on foreign overfishing on the continental shelf outside Canada�s 200 mile limit. The report outlines Canada�s recent disputes with foreign fishing nations; the failure of the Northwest Fisheries Organization (NAFO) to conserve fish stocks; and proposed solutions to the problem of overfishing. The committee maintains that there is a growing trend of non-compliance by NAFO members with conservation measures established by NAFO.

It is the position of Province of Newfoundland and Labrador that, while it is important to furtherinternational cooperation on global environmental issues such as the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union�s poor performance with respect to previous international agreements should be raised as an issue.

"In meeting with Minister Anderson, Minister Aylward will take yet another opportunity toindicate to the federal government where the province stands with regards to custodialmanagement," said Minister Reid. "We are looking to the federal government for support on an issue that is of tremendous importance to our province. Upon discussing foreign overfishing with Minister Anderson we hope to see the issue obtain more international attention."

"As the Minister of Environment, I viewed the Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy as an important partner in addressing these issues so we made a presentation earlier this year. I have asked for foreign overfishing to be placed on the agenda during national meetings of the Ministers of Environment in October 2002. I will also be requesting the federal Minister of Environment, David Anderson to make representation to the European Union Commission on the issue of foreign overfishing on the nose and tail of the Grand Banks," said Minister Aylward.

"The failure of the Northern Cod fishery has had a significant effect on the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Aylward. "We formally presented the issue to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy in May of this year and I will continue to use all avenues available to bring this issue to the national and international level. I will be asking Minister Anderson to make representation to the European Union Commission on the issue of foreign overfishing on the nose and tail of the Grand Banks."

Media contact:

Cynthia Layden Barron
Communications Director
Environment
(709) 729-2575

Elizabeth Matthews
Communications Director
Fisheries and Aquaculture
(709) 729-3438

2002 08 02                            3:25 p.m.


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