NLIS 10
September 19 , 2003
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

 

Pilot project on reduction in observer coverage is a matter of concern for Newfoundland and Labrador

The 25th annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) concluded today in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Senior officials of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture represented Newfoundland and Labrador as members of the Canadian delegation.

Canada used the annual NAFO meeting as an opportunity to pursue a number of objectives aimed at improving NAFO�s management of important fisheries resources in the Northwest Atlantic. In a presentation to the NAFO Fisheries Commission, Canada highlighted ongoing problems with misreporting, illegal fishing practices, exceeding allocations and the lack of compliance by some NAFO member states.

Newfoundland and Labrador�s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Yvonne Jones stated that, "Canada�s major challenge going into this year�s meeting was to achieve a reduced Total Allowable Catch (TAC) level for Greenland halibut, a stock which has been identified by NAFO�s Scientific Council as being in decline."

As part of a long term rebuilding plan, NAFO adopted a four year Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Greenland halibut (turbot).

2004 - 20,000t
2005 - 19,000t
2006 - 18,500t
2007 - 16,000t

The rebuilding plan allows for annual review of the status of the stock with a view to further reductions in annual TAC should scientific assessment indicate the necessity to take such action to promote stock rebuilding. Although Canada was seeking an immediate reduction to 16,000t, as recommended by the Scientific Council, the 2004 TAC will be less than half the 2003 level of 42,000t.

"While I am pleased that NAFO has reduced the turbot quota significantly, I continue to be concerned about the health of this stock given the latest scientific advice," said Minister Jones. "It is critical that Canada remain vigilant on this issue and take whatever measures are necessary to protect and rebuild the turbot resource."

The TAC for 3LNO Yellowtail flounder was continued at 14,500 mt for 2004. Similarly, the 2004 TAC for 3L shrimp will remain unchanged at 13,000 mt. The Canadian share of these stocks remains at 97.5 per cent and 83 per cent respectively. All moratoria on NAFO managed stocks will be maintained in 2004 as recommended by the NAFO Scientific Council.

In 1995, NAFO introduced a program of 100 per cent observer coverage for vessels fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area (NRA). Since 2001, several contracting parties to NAFO have been seeking changes to this program, arguing that alternative surveillance and monitoring systems can provide equal coverage at a reduced cost.

A pilot program on observers, agreed upon at the 2002 annual meeting, will be implemented in 2004. The purpose of the pilot is to test the effectiveness of 100 per cent observer coverage against other forms of surveillance such as satellite tracking and increased reporting requirements.

The pilot will be limited to a maximum of twenty vessels. Ten vessels will maintain 100 per cent observer coverage while the remaining 10 vessels will be monitored using a satellite based electronic Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). As the pilot project proceeds, NAFO will evaluate and compare the compliance levels of the two groups of vessels to determine the relative effectiveness of the two schemes.

Minister Jones said, "Any reduction in observer coverage is a matter of concern for us. The province continues to believe that a program of 100 per cent coverage by impartial observers should be a central feature of any surveillance and monitoring regime in the NAFO Regulatory Area. The Province intends to be fully engaged in the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot project and is not prepared to support any permanent changes which lessen the effectiveness of NAFO�s already questionable monitoring and surveillance regime."

Minister Jones also noted, "I am disappointment that 3O Redfish will remain unregulated for 2004, but I am encouraged by NAFO�s commitment to address the regulation of this stock at the 2004 NAFO meeting. There is increasing scientific evidence that these stocks are suffering the effects of unregulated fishing outside 200 miles and that action must be taken to bring these fisheries under regulation."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733

2003 09 19                                        4:05 p.m.


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