Minister proposes custodial management to his provincial, territorial
and federal counterparts

The issue of custodial management was discussed yesterday at the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers� (CCFAM) meeting in Halifax. Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, used the round table portion of the meeting to address the issue with his provincial, territorial and federal counterparts.

"The CCFAM meeting provided a valuable opportunity for me to discuss the issue of foreign overfishing, and to present this province�s case for custodial management," said Minister Reid. "I believe that sometimes the problems associated with foreign overfishing are not fully understood by other provinces, especially those geographically distanced from the east coast. This was a good opportunity to educate the other provinces and territories about foreign overfishing, and more significantly, about our desire to have Canada adopt custodial management, in our effort to protect fishery resources."

Minister Reid spoke with the other provinces about his recent trip to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) meeting in Spain, and the latest infractions as outlined in the Canadian compliance report which was presented at NAFO. He also outlined the province�s position on custodial management of the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and the Flemish Cap, whereby Canada would manage the NAFO regulatory area, including quotas, compliance and other regulatory mechanisms, in an effort to protect fishery resources.

"The Government of Canada would have to implement custodial management, and we have been pushing Ottawa on this issue for years, given the ineffectiveness of NAFO," added the minister. "It is important that our fellow Canadians support us in this endeavor, and as such, I asked for the support of my provincial and territorial counterparts. I left them with a great deal of information on custodial management; however, I was disappointed by the lack of support at the meeting. I was especially disappointed to hear New Brunswick voice their non-support for custodial management.

"In the absence of any other plan, I am convinced that custodial management of the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap, is the only viable alternative for Canada to pursue. I can only hope, that upon reflection, the other provinces will see the value in this option, and support our efforts with the federal government."

Other agenda items at the meeting included updates on several federal-provincial initiatives including: Canada�s Oceans Strategy; the Canadian Action Plan for Aquaculture, including the development of a collaborative National Aquatic Animal Health program; the Code on Introductions and Transfers of Aquatic Organisms; the Capacity Management Task Group; and, the Agreement on Interjurisdictional Cooperation.

"We had a very full agenda, and overall, had a productive meeting on issues of common concern to the provincial, territorial and federal governments," said Minister Reid. "I look forward to the continued cooperation and work on many of these important files. My main priority; however, will be to continue to push for custodial management, with the federal government."

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

2002 09 27                                       1: 50 p.m.