NLIS 2
September 20, 2002
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

 

Minister confirms that NAFO is a completely ineffective organization for
Newfoundland and Labrador

The 24th annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) in Santiago de Compostela, Spain provided Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, with valuable opportunities to discuss the problems of foreign overfishing on the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks, and confirmed for him that NAFO is a completely ineffective organization, which does not act in the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed Canada.

"The NAFO meeting in Spain provided me with a great opportunity to learn about the processes of this organization, which so greatly impacts the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Reid. "In addition to attending as an observer with the Canadian delegation, I had several opportunities that I would not have had otherwise, to speak outside of the meeting with NAFO-member countries about the problems of foreign over fishing, and this province�s position on custodial management. I was especially pleased that the head of the Canadian delegation mentioned custodial management in his opening remarks, something which I feel would never have happened were it not for pressure from the provincial government and my presence at the meeting. It is important for NAFO members to know that custodial management is an alternative which Canada is willing to consider."

Minister Reid was able to speak with politicians and government officials regarding custodial management outside of the formal NAFO meeting. "I had a meeting with my counterpart in the Galacian region of Spain, Enrique Cesar Lopez Veiga, where we had an open and frank discussion about custodial management. I also spoke with European Union (EU) officials, including Mr. Struan Stevenson whom I met earlier this summer when he visited our province. Additionally, I had an opportunity to meet with the Canadian Ambassador to Spain, Alain Dudoit. I had valuable discussions with these individuals about the problems which are facing the fishery resources outside of our 200-mile limit, as a result of over fishing and other irresponsible fishing practices."

Minister Reid was shocked to learn that the EU politicians, including the chair of their Fisheries Committee, seemed to be unaware of infractions by EU member countries. "Mr. Stevenson indicated that it was his understanding that it was countries other than those belonging to the EU, who were committing these infractions," added the minister. "He was astounded to hear the facts of these infractions, as presented in the meeting by Mr. Pat Chamut, head of the Canadian delegation. As such, I feel that it was an educational experience for him to attend these meetings, which is something he has never done before. Once he was presented with the evidence, he acknowledged the necessity for a tougher compliance and enforcement regime." Minister Reid also spoke with other government officials from NAFO-member countries, in hope that they would relay our concerns back to their respective governments.

"Having observed first hand the dynamics of the meeting and the challenges facing the Canadian delegation, I am more convinced than ever that NAFO will never work in the best interests of Canada, and certainly not in the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador," added Minister Reid. "While I can applaud the efforts of the Canadian officials, the reality is that our efforts within NAFO are completely futile. We go to NAFO to look out for the best interests of the fish, while other countries look to maximize fishing opportunities while disregarding science and conservation."

Officially the European Union has only one vote at the NAFO table, however, at least four countries who are vying for membership into the EU, support the positions of the EU and therefore vote with them on most issues. Essentially, the EU has at least five of the 16 votes around the table, making it difficult for Canada to successfully overcome EU positions.

"According to the Canadian compliance report, infractions outside of the 200-mile limit continue to seriously impede rebuilding efforts and sustainable fisheries practices for the future, " said the minister. "These continue to include directing for moratoria species, misreporting and exceeding allocations, mesh size violations, including use of liners in trawls, and non-submission of observer reports. While lip service is paid to conservation and compliance rules, in reality they are seeking higher quotas and more fishing opportunities. This is simply unacceptable."

NAFO is generally a consensus based process, and therefore concessions have to be made in order for Canada to achieve the most important objectives, including the extension of the observer program, and important conservation and compliance measures. Despite some additional measures in an attempt to address compliance problems, significant progress on compliance and enforcement rules is still seriously lacking. Notwithstanding the fact that the fish is located in waters adjacent to Canadian waters, the reality is that Canada has only one vote, which results in NAFO being a completely ineffective organization in its current form.

"The Canadian delegation was successful in ensuring that the observer coverage was extended to 2003," said Minister Reid. "The decision on turbot quotas, however, was a clear reflection of the true, self-serving nature of most NAFO members. The decision to allow a 42,000 tonne allocation of turbot, flies in the face of the scientific advice and is yet another example of the ineffective and irresponsible nature of this organization.

"I am more convinced than ever that NAFO does not and cannot work in the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador. In my view, custodial management is the only viable option for Canada to pursue, if we are to protect the fisheries resources off of our coast."

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

2002 09 20                                     12:10 p.m.


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