Minister commends DFO changes to port access policy

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today commended changes by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to its Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations (CFPR) that govern foreign vessels� access to Canadian ports and waters.

"I applaud DFO�s policy change, which is a step in the right direction towards the rebuilding, conservation, and management of fish stocks," said Minister Taylor. "These amendments will improve Canada�s ability to penalize those foreign vessels that do not respect conservation guidelines.

"Canada�s port access policy has been an effective tool for dealing with foreign vessels that ignore conservation and management rules. This is a small step in the right direction. However, Canada must continue to deter non-compliant actions by those countries that do not use Canadian ports."

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

On December 9, 2003, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations (CFPR). The text of this announcement was made available online at //www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/news-presse_e.htm

The changes to Canada�s Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations mean that only foreign vessels from countries that Canada sees as respecting fisheries conservation guidelines will be given access to Canadian waters and ports. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans will have the prerogative to deny access to a specific vessel, an entire fleet, or adjust the list of countries allowed access. In the past, Canada�s port access policy has proven itself to be an effective measure in dealing with foreign vessels that disregard conservation and management rules in the NAFO Regulatory Area (NRA). The new amendments provide Canada with greater flexibility to deal with non-compliant foreign vessels.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports any action to improve the rebuilding, conservation and management of straddling fish stocks, and would like to work in partnership with the Government of Canada to ensure that all stocks in the NRA are properly managed.

2003 12 10                                        4:20 p.m.