Overfishing violations must be prosecuted regardless of where they occur

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is encouraged that Canada has seized a Portuguese trawler that illegally harvested depleted fish stocks off the province�s shores. It is imperative that firm actions continue in order to sustain the message that Canada will not tolerate overfishing on either side of the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone limit.

"Action by Canada to prevent overfishing is always encouraging," said Trevor Taylor, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Rule breakers who threaten the recovery of a species must be dealt with harshly. The seizure of the Santa Mafalda sends a message that Canada intends to live up to its commitment to enforce fisheries conservation measures. It tells the global fishing community that we will protect fish stocks."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador sees this seizure as the first test of the international overfishing declaration reached earlier this month in St. John�s. The strength of the declaration will be measured by the solidarity between the European Union and Canada to ensure that the Santa Mafalda is punished to the full extent of the law.

"Canada has no choice but to take violations of fisheries management regulations extremely seriously. For its part, the global community must ensure that overfishing fines and sanctions are not simply a cost of doing business," added the minister. "Over the past decade, the Santa Mafalda has been issued 14 citations in nine separate incidents, but little was done until Canada took action within 200 miles. This is a clear example of NAFO�s inability to deal with overfishing outside 200 miles and illustrates why Canada should become the custodial manager of depleted fish stocks on the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks."

The International Conference on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement concluded May 5 in St. John�s. The theme of the conference was "Moving from Words to Action." Approximately 300 delegates, including ministers and officials from 49 countries, participated. Minister Taylor is mindful that the cooperation of other nations leading up to September�s meetings of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) will be a barometer of the usefulness of this conference.

Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-6047

NOTE TO EDITORS: Note to editors: Background information about the outcome of the overfishing conference is available at www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2005/fishaq/0506n10.htm

2005 05 31                         12:30 p.m.