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NLIS 6 September 6, 2002 (Environment) Minister releases recent letter to the European Union Environment Commissioner Environment Minister Kevin Aylward today released his recent letter to the European Union Environment Commissioner, Margot Wallstr�m addressing overfishing of straddling stocks outside Canada�s 200 mile exclusive economic zone. "I am very concerned about the noncompliance of European Union (EU) member states with respect to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) conservation objectives", said Minister Aylward. "There have been ongoing violations such as the harvesting of 10,000 tonnes of restricted species in 2000, overfishing of 3L shrimp in NAFO Regulatory Area during 2001; and the non-submission of observers reports in 2000 and 2001. These actions are unacceptable and I felt the need to contact Ms. Wallstr�m and inform her of my concerns." The minister called upon the European Union to adhere to the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, to ratify the United Nations agreement on straddling fish stocks, and to adhere to their own internal environmental polices which support sustainable development and responsible management. Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-2575. Department of Environment Margot Wallstr�m Dear Ms. Wallstr�m: RE: Overfishing of Straddling Fish Stocks by EU Members outside Canada�s 200 Mile Exclusive Economic Zone. I am writing to express my Department�s concern with overfishing of straddling stocks outside Canada�s 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the ineffectiveness of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) in controlling overfishing. In the early and mid-1990s, the economy of this province was severely impacted by moratoria placed on several important commercial fish stocks. The late 1990s saw improved compliance with NAFO conservation measures. However, Canada has, of late, observed a growing trend of non-compliance by NAFO members. Violations have included more than 10,000 tonnes of moratoria species landed in 2000; overfishing of 3L shrimp in NAFO Regulatory Area (NRA) in 2001; and non-submission of a number of observer reports in 2000 and 2001. Violations of this nature are reminiscent of the pre-1995 era when citations against European Union (EU) vessels in the NRA involved improper reporting practices, fishing gear violations, and overfishing of stocks. Such activities demonstrate NAFO�s continued inability to responsibly manage stocks outside the Canadian 200 mile limit. The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries calls for the strengthening of existing regional fisheries organizations, such as NAFO. The EU professes support for the principles of the Code of Conduct; however, the trend of non-compliance by some EU member states is not consistent with this position. The United Nations Agreement on straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish species came into force December 11, 2001, but few NAFO parties have ratified. Canada ratified in 1999 and I urge the European Union to do likewise to protect stocks in the Northwest Atlantic. By ratifying this Agreement, the EU will be fulfilling its commitment to controlling overfishing and its obligations at the international level. Overfishing is not only a sectoral issue, but is also a significant environmental problem in terms of the disruption it causes to the ocean ecosystem. The European Union�s environmental policy and Common Fisheries Policy support the principles of sustainable development, rational and responsible management and precaution and preventative actions. I now ask that these principles be applied in the context of fishing activities in the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador. Sincerely yours, Kevin Aylward Minister cc. Hon. Roger Grimes, Premier 2002 09 06 4:35 p.m. |
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