Minister to attend NAFO meetings

Continued infractions by Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) member countries outside of the 200-mile limit, and the demonstrated lack of effectiveness of NAFO as it relates to managing the fisheries resources, continues to cause great concern for the province. As such, Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will travel to Santiago, Spain next week, where he will attend the 24^th annual NAFO meeting.

"I have grave concerns about the effectiveness of NAFO, especially given the impact which the organization has on this province�s fishing industry," said Minister Reid. "Though it is contrary to custom for a provincial minister to attend a NAFO meeting, I feel it is important for me to gain a better understanding of the organization and the decision-making processes."

The Canadian delegation travels to NAFO on behalf of the federal government, under the direction of the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The objectives of the Canadian delegation are predetermined by the federal government, after year-long consultations with the provinces and industry.

"Clearly, I would prefer to see custodial management on the Canadian agenda; however, the federal government has explicitly stated that custodial management is not an option they are willing to pursue," added the minister. "I will take any informal opportunity I have to speak to other member states about custodial management. My main goal in that regard remains to advance the issue with the federal government who must come on side if we are to move this forward at the international level."

The province has been aggressively advancing the issue of custodial management in the past several months. Minister Reid has spoken with several national and international media outlets, as well as European Union (EU) and German parliamentarians, and organizations such as the St. John�s Board of Trade. The minister has also brought this issue forward to the federal government on several occasions and has written and spoken with Minister Thibault and his provincial counterparts. Minister Reid also made presentations to the Prime Minister�s Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, and his presentation to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans resulted in a unanimous recommendation by the committee to the federal Minister to adopt custodial management as an official Canadian policy.

There will be a media blackout at the meeting in Spain which is standard operating procedure at NAFO meetings. Anyone who violates this protocol at any time may be expelled for the remainder of the meetings. Minister Reid will, therefore, not be permitted to speak with the media on NAFO issues until the conclusion of the meeting.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-3733, or (709) 727-3438.

2002 09 13                                      3:50 p.m.