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Canada's Actions Against Overfishing
[ International DFO News ] [ List of Acronyms ]
Chronology of Canada's Actions to Curb Overfishing and Improve International Fisheries and Oceans Governance
2009 |2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004
2010
| November 22 | Minister Shea announces that Canada has signed the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA). The PSMA constitutes an international effort to strengthen fisheries governance around the world and to tackle the problem of IUU fishing by setting strong international minimum standards to prevent illegal fisheries products from entering markets through port access. |
| November 10 | Fisheries and Oceans Canada again contributes to important multinational fisheries enforcement activities in the North Pacific Ocean to protect high seas fish stocks from illegal fishing activities. Dubbed “Operation Driftnet,” this year’s long-range air surveillance patrols took place over a 12 day period from September 23 to October 4, 2010. These patrols are supported by satellite (radarsat2) imagery and other intelligence compiled with the support of the Canadian Forces. |
| October 8 | Fisheries and Oceans Canada announces that Canada has rejoined the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) as a full member. Of particular importance to Canada is the sustainable management of Pacific albacore tuna stocks and the long-term prosperity of the Pacific albacore tuna fishery, which brings in between $20 and $30 million dollars each year in Canada. |
| October 7 | Minister Shea announces that the Government of Canada has begun proactive work under a new Action Plan to combat the threat posed by invasive Asian carp to the Great Lakes and its tributaries. |
| October 4 | Canada and China signed a renewed memorandum of understanding on ocean cooperation. In addition to facilitating collaborative work and the exchange of scientific information, the MOU provides for cooperative science that will support an ecosystem approach to oceans management. The goal is to understand how to maintain ocean ecosystems in healthy and productive condition, while allowing for sustainable use of the goods and services they provide. |
September 24 |
The North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) took further action to rebuild groundfish stocks and to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. NAFO members reinforced their commitment to the Precautionary Approach by adopting sustainable measures for the management, re-building, and conservation of the stocks under their mandate, notably cod, Greenland halibut, and northern shrimp, as well as for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the NAFO Regulatory Area. |
| February 14 | Minister Shea announces the closure of Canadian ports to Faroese and Greenlandic fishing vessels as of February 15, unless they withdraw their objection to the 3L shrimp quota set by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). |
| February 11 | Fisheries and Oceans Canada collaborates with the U.S. to protect Great Lakes fisheries, including continued efforts to control the spread of invasive species like Asian carps into the Great Lakes. |
| January 26 | Minister Shea has warned Fisheries Ministers in the Faroe Islands and Greenland that Canada will begin denying port access licences to fishing vessels flagged to the Faroe Islands and Greenland as of February 15, 2010 unless the objection to their NAFO quota of 3L shrimp is withdrawn and they comply with the existing NAFO quota. |
2009
| November 4 | Canada Calls on The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to take action to protect the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna from illegal fishing activities. |
| September 25 | The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) announces strong new actions to protect fish stocks and vulnerable marine ecosystems, including the closures of 11 sponge and coral areas to bottom fishing. |
| August 24 | Fisheries and Oceans Canada announces a groundbreaking international survey of the largely unknown deep water terrain of the Continental Shelf off Canada’s East Coast. This research project conducted by international scientists working through the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization is the largest of its kind conducted in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. |
| January 5 | Minister Shea announces that Canada and the U.S. have ratified the renewed Pacific Salmon Treaty. The negotiated changes will help ensure the long term sustainability of salmon stocks and fair access for salmon harvesters on both sides of the border. The renewed treaty came into effect on January 1, 2009 and will remain in place through 2018. |
2008
| December 8-12 | Canada advocates for the adoption of conservation and enforcement measures for bigeye and yellowfin tuna at the annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Busan, Korea. Canada also supports the adoption of new measures to strengthen the Commission’s monitoring, control and surveillance capacity. |
| December 4 | Canada’s United Nations Ambassador John McNee delivers the Canadian Statement on Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans and Law of the Sea Resolutions to the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly. |
| November 21 | Minster Shea celebrates World Fisheries Day with a statement commending Canada’s contributions to global efforts to conserve fish stocks and ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems. She also announced the release of DFO’s video entitled "Canada blue fin tuna fishery: A model of sustainable development". |
| November 17-24 | Canada advocates for strengthened measures to protect bluefin tuna at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting in Marrekech, Morocco. The commission made some reductions to bluefin quotas, however it did not go as far as recommended by the organization’s scientists. |
| August 8 | Minister Hearn highlights a series of successful joint Canada – U.S. NAFO enforcement patrols. Canadian NAFO inspectors were joined by U.S. Coast Guard officers on board Canadian vessels in an exercise designed to share best inspection practices, reinforce strong Canada – U.S. relations, and eliminate illegal fishing activities. |
| May 29 | Minister Hearn announces outcomes of the 13th North Atlantic Minister's Conference held in St. Julian, Malta, from May 22–24. At the conference, discussion focused on ways to eliminate illegal fishing, amongst other fisheries priorities. |
| May 22 | Minister Hearn signs the Canada-Norway Memorandum of Understanding on fisheries cooperation to advance joint technical, scientific, economic, and enforcement activities, particularly in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. |
| May 9 | Minister Hearn announces that Canada played a major role in helping its NAFO partners adopt new measures to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. |
| April 6 | Ministers Hearn and MacKay recognize the Canadian Forces for their fisheries enforcement efforts in the North Atlantic Ocean to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. |
| February 22 | Operation Driftnet patrols resulted in action taken against six Chinese fishing vessels for using illegal driftnets in the North Pacific Ocean. China took action against the vessel owners and captains for the illegal fishing activities. |
| February 20 | Canada provides an $800,000 in-kind contribution to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization's Salmon at Sea program, an international scientific research project investigating the at-sea mortality of Atlantic salmon. |
| February 13 | Minister Hearn announces how 2007 was a record year of achievement for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Only one serious incident of overfishing was detected by Canada's NAFO inspectors during their at-sea patrols. |
2007
| November 29 | Minister Hearn and the Head of the State Committee on Fisheries of the Russian Federation, Andrey Krayniy, sign a Memorandum of Understanding to advance fisheries cooperation between Canada and Russia. This is another demonstration of the commitment by fishing nations to work together for the conservation of global marine resources. |
| November 21 | Minister Hearn celebrates World Fisheries Day by highlighting the steep decline of serious illegal fishing incidents in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization waters since 2006. |
| November 19 | Minister Hearn issues a statement expressing Canada's concern that the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas did not result in the adoption of concrete measures to protect eastern bluefin tuna from further decline. |
| September 28 | At the 29th annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization in Lisbon, members adopt important changes to the NAFO Convention. They also agree to: new measures to address overfishing of Greenland halibut (turbot); increased protection for deep-sea corals in the NAFO Regulatory Area; and a conservation plan and rebuilding strategy for Atlantic cod on the southern Grand Banks. |
| September 6 | Minister Hearn signs the Canada-Spain Memorandum of Understanding on fisheries cooperation to advance joint technical, scientific, economic, and enforcement activities particularly in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. |
| August 10 | An independent panel release the Model RFMO Report: Recommended Best Practices for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations. Canada was a key financial contributor of the initiative. |
| June 20-23 | At their 12th annual meeting, Minister Hearn and other fisheries ministers of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean announce their success using port state measures in stopping illegal fishing activities. |
| May 15-18 | Canada hosts the 5th International Fisheries Observer Conference in Victoria for individuals and organizations involved in fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance to share best practices, discuss emerging issues, and identify opportunities for future collaboration. |
| April 27 | Canada provides $500,000 – the largest contribution to date – to the UN Fish Stocks Agreement Part VII Assistance Fund. The funding helps developing countries build their enforcement capacity, undertake scientific research, and more actively participate in meetings and activities of regional fisheries management organizations. |
| April 12 | Minister Hearn introduces a Fishery Sustainability Checklist based on the guidelines used by international eco-labelling certifiers. The checklist will be used to evaluate Canada's fisheries and fisheries management to help industry demonstrate the sustainability of their fish and seafood products. |
| March 8 | Canada releases its National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries. The plan outlines steps to help Canadian fishers further reduce incidental catches of seabirds. |
| March 8 | The National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks is released during the FAO Committee on Fisheries meeting. The plan outlines measures Canada uses to monitor, assess and manage shark populations and related fisheries in Canadian fisheries waters. |
| January 25 | Loyola Sullivan is appointed as Canada's Ambassador for Fisheries Conservation. The Ambassador will promote Canada's priorities for sustainable resource use and push for continued reform of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). |
| January 22-26 | At a joint meeting of tuna RFMOs in Kobe, Japan, Canada presses for conservation principles: for decisions to be based on science and for more effective measures to deal with non-compliance and other IUU fishing. |
2006
| September 22 | NAFO members agree to major reforms that will improve the organization's decision-making process and hold flag states accountable for illegal fishing. In addition, members agree to a Canadian-led proposal to protect four seamount areas in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. |
| August 31 | Minister Hearn meets Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The Minister reinforces Canada's unwillingness to tolerate further overfishing and illegal fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area. He also lays out Canada's expectations for NAFO reforms at the organization's annual meeting. |
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July 6 |
Canada and the European Union agree to conduct joint at-sea inspection patrols in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area. |
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June 8-10 |
At their 11th annual conference, North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers agree on measures to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and strengthen regional fisheries management organizations. |
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June 5-9 |
Members of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization commit to continued restrictions on ocean salmon fisheries at their annual meeting. They also establish a plan to promote the Salmon at Sea scientific research initiative. |
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June 1-7 |
Minister Hearn meets with the EU Director General for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs to discuss Canada's strategy to combat overfishing. |
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May 22-26 |
At the first-ever review conference of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, 14 fishing nations announce their intention to ratify the Agreement in the near future. Recommendations are also made to address overcapacity of fishing vessels and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. |
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April 25-28 |
The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Working Group on Reform meets in Montréal. Members discussed options to amend the NAFO Convention, including issues of importance to Canada: improved decision-making and dealing with objections to NAFO decisions; dispute settlement provisions; stronger flag state duties; and using the precautionary approach and ecosystem-based considerations in fisheries management. |
| March 2-3 | The High Seas Task Force releases its final report outlining measures they will take to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing. |
2005
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December 1 |
Canada becomes the 22nd member of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. |
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November 23 |
Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announces $7.6 million over three years to support scientific initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. The funding is aimed at increasing knowledge of marine ecosystems, sensitive marine areas and highly migratory marine species. |
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November 14-20 |
At its annual meeting, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) imposes sanctions in the order of USD$100 million on Chinese Taipei for overfishing bigeye tuna. Members also commit to review the Commission's conservation and management measures as a key first step to strengthening the organization. |
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November 8 |
Two of DFO's scientific research facilities, the St. Andrew's Biological Station and the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, receive $203,000 to improve the scientific understanding of highly migratory species in the Atlantic Ocean. |
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November 8 |
The Head of the Canadian Delegation to ICCAT briefs media about Canada's objectives for the Commission's annual meeting. |
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October 24-28 |
At the annual meeting of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC), members announce a second international workshop to study the factors affecting the production of juvenile salmon. The Commission also announces a new Integrated Information System on enforcement that allows NPAFC members to retain information about illegal fishing activity. |
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October 12 |
DFO's Minister and his Portuguese counterpart sign a Memorandum of Understanding to advance bilateral fisheries relations between Canada and Portugal. The arrangement includes commitments to promote technical, scientific, economic and enforcement co-peration, in addition to sustainably managing fisheries through an ongoing exchange of information and documentation. |
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September 23 |
Members at the annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) unanimously agree to reform NAFO and improve the management of fisheries outside Canada's 200-mile limit. NAFO reform puts into action the Ministerial Declaration signed by 19 countries at the St. John's Conference on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Agreement. |
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September 16-17 |
DFO's Minister co-chairs, with Indonesia, the 2nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ocean-related Ministerial meeting in Bali, Indonesia. The Bali Plan of Action is adopted by APEC Ministers at the end of the meeting. The plan outlines priorities for action under three key areas: balancing conservation and sustainable use; providing for sustainable economic benefits from the oceans; and, enabling sustainable development of coastal communities. |
| September 1 | DFO's Minister responds to the release of the final report of the Advisory Panel on the Sustainable Management of Straddling Fish Stocks in the Northwest Atlantic. |
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August 10 |
DFO's Minister meets his Norwegian counterpart in Norway to discuss the need to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. They agree to work together, and to push for reforms at the 2005 NAFO annual meeting. |
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July 26 |
A Canadian federal court rules that Canada's actions were lawful when it seized the Spanish trawler Estai in 1995. |
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July 25 |
DFO's Minister and his Indonesian counterpart are announced as co-hosts of the APEC Oceans Ministers' Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, September 16-17. The meeting will focus on harnessing the economic value of fisheries and other marine resources, while ensuring environmental sustainability. |
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June 6-10 |
Members at the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) agree to co-operate on a new initiative called SALSEA (Salmon at Sea). The initiative integrates and intensifies scientific research to find the unknown factors that affect marine survival of Atlantic salmon. Greenland agrees to again suspend its commercial salmon fishery for the year as an important conservation measure. |
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May 30-31 |
At the 10th North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers' Conference (NAFMC), Ministers and their representatives discuss ways to build on the actions outlined in the Ministerial Declaration of the St. John's Conference, especially regarding the reform of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). In particular, they share ideas for improving decision-making and strengthening monitoring, control and surveillance in NAFO and the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC). |
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May 1-5 |
The Government of Canada hosts an international conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Agreement. Ministers or their representatives from 19 States issue a Ministerial Declaration outlining specific commitments to: fight illegal fishing; strengthen the use of scientific information and the precautionary approach in the decision-making of RFMOs, and stronger monitoring, control and surveillance regimes. |
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April 20 |
DFO holds a technical briefing to update media on the conference being held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in early May. Briefing focuses on the conference goals, program, and the list of attending ministers and delegations. |
| March 12 | On behalf of Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Deputy Minister of DFO delivers the keynote address on IUU fishing at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ministerial Meeting on Fisheries in Rome. |
| March 9 and 11 | The first ministerial meeting of the High Seas Task Force takes place in Paris and Rome. Task Force members, including Canada as the North American member, agreed to pursue six priority areas to combat IUU fishing. |
| March 7 | Canada tables its National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUU) at a meeting of the UN FAO's Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in Rome. The plan outlines ongoing programs and initiatives, as well as existing policies and legislation, which tackle the problem of IUU fishing. |
| February 18 | The Government of Canada launches its Overfishing and International Fisheries Governance Web site and the official site for the Conference on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Agreement. |
| January 25-27 | Canadian NAFO inspectors attend a workshop in Brussels for all NAFO inspectors. The workshop improves understanding of how different Contracting Parties conduct inspections and lays the groundwork for further harmonization of procedures. |
| January 20 | Technical briefing in Ottawa to update the media regarding Canada's actions in 2004 to combat overfishing and improve international fisheries and oceans governance. The briefing focuses on three main areas: monitoring and surveillance efforts; diplomatic activities; and international fisheries and oceans governance improvements. |
2004
| December 31 | At-sea inspections of vessels in the NAFO Regulatory Area (NRA) in 2004 total 241. Up to three dedicated Canadian patrol vessels were on duty in the NRA, logging 675 patrol days (165 days of which were provided by the Navy). An estimated 2,540 flying hours of aerial surveillance were also dedicated to the NRA (2,000 by DFO through Provincial Airlines Limited and 540 by the Air Force). |
| December 13-14 | Canada-Russia bilateral fisheries consultations in Moscow. |
| December 13 | The Advisory Panel on the Sustainable Management of Straddling Fish Stocks in the Northwest Atlantic is announced. The Panel is mandated to look at the whole range of Canada's efforts to combat overfishing and at the question of custodial management, and to suggest areas for improvement and ways to move forward. |
| December 2 | Canada closes its ports to vessels from the Faroe Islands and Greenland due to overfishing of shrimp in NAFO Division 3L in excess of their 2004 NAFO-set quota. |
| December 1 | Vessels from the Faroe Islands resume fishing in the NRA in excess of their NAFO-set 3L shrimp quota. |
| November 16 | The intergovernmental conference on The Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Agreement — Moving from Words to Action (May 1-5, 2005) is announced. |
| November 6-10 | DFO's Minister visits counterparts in Portugal and Britain. In Portugal, the Ministers agree to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation and to have a workshop for experts on the legal frameworks in Canada and Portugal in St. John's, NL, February 9-10, 2005. In Britain, the Minister agrees to identify opportunities for Canada to advance the work of the High Seas Task Force. |
| October 28 | DFO's Minister joins the High Seas Task Force – an international, ministerial task force dedicated to the fight against IUU fishing activities on the high seas. |
| October 15 | During the Progressive Governance Summit in Budapest, Hungary, Canada's Prime Minister meets with the Prime Minister of Spain. They agree to pursue further bilateral fisheries co-operation. |
| October | DFO's Associate Deputy Minister participates in bilateral meetings with senior officials from Spain, Portugal, and the EU to strengthen co-operation regarding overfishing. |
| September 22 | During his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Canada's Prime Minister stresses the need for a global oceans policy to allow for the rebuilding of fish stocks and improved regulation of fisheries under international law. While in New York, the PM meets the Portuguese Prime Minister, and they agree that bilateral work on a variety of fisheries issues will begin right away. |
| September 13-17 | Progress made at the annual meeting of NAFO. Contracting Parties agree to regulate three previously unregulated fish stocks (Division 3LNO thorny skate, 3O redfish, and 3NO white hake) and to modify NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures to make at-sea and in-port inspections more effective. |
| September 2 | A technical briefing is held to update Canadians on the monitoring, surveillance, and diplomatic actions taken by Canada since May 2004 to combat overfishing. |
| August 31 | There are 38 vessels fishing on Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks, 41% fewer than the 64 vessels fishing there on the same day in 2003. |
| August 27 | Denmark agrees to stop Greenlandic and Faroese vessels fishing in excess of their NAFO-set 3L shrimp quota. |
| August 24 | Meeting of Canadian, Danish, Faroese and Greenlandic officials to obtain agreement from Denmark to stop fishing in excess of their NAFO-set quota for 3L shrimp. |
| August 15 | At-sea inspections of vessels in the NRA since May 1 total 123. Canadian patrol vessel hours in the Area total 3,082. |
| August | Canada secures EU support for a technical consultation between Canadian and EU NAFO inspectors to develop a common understanding of the NAFO inspection process. The joint inspection workshop will take place in Brussels from January 25-27, 2005. |
| July 23 | DFO officials meet Russian counterparts in Ottawa. |
| July 22 | Canada-United States annual bilateral fisheries consultations. |
| July 6 | Canada-EU meeting of Deputy Ministers in Brussels results in agreement to focus on areas of common interest and on how to move forward co-operatively, particularly in NAFO. |
| June 25 | The Galician Fisheries Minister arrives in Canada to meet ministers and officials in Quebec, NS, and NL. Visits to scientific installations and processing and aquaculture plants lay foundation for future exchanges. |
| June 8-10 | Canada's Prime Minister raises concerns about overfishing on the high seas with the Presidents of the EU and France during the G8 Summit at Sea Island, Georgia. |
| June 3-5 | DFO's Minister raises concerns about overfishing during the 9th NAFMC in Iceland. |
| June 2 | Between May 3 and June 2, Canada's NAFO inspectors board and inspect 36 fishing trawlers in the NRA. |
| June | DFO International Affairs Director General meets counterpart in Portugal. |
| June | Surveillance indicates international groundfish fleets have stopped fishing in the shallower waters of the continental shelf, where they are likely to catch excessive amounts of species under moratoria. |
| June – ongoing | Canadian embassies provide démarches on Canada's NAFO objectives to fisheries authorities of NAFO Contracting Parties. |
| Late Spring | DFO reallocates $12.5 million internally towards Canada's strategy to combat overfishing and to improve international fisheries governance. |
| Week of May 17 | DFO Associate Deputy Minister participates in bilateral meetings on overfishing in Brussels, Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, and Lisbon to establish important contacts to deal more effectively with issues. The visit is the first high-level official delegation to visit European countries since summer 2002. |
| May 8 | DFO's Minister updates Canadians on NAFO inspections conducted May 4-7. |
| May 6 | The Ministers of DFO and Foreign Affairs announce an additional $15 million to further enhance surveillance and patrols in the NRA, increasing from one dedicated vessel to three on the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and the Flemish Cap. Money will also fund an advisory panel to provide advice on how to end the cycle of high seas ecosystem destruction, increased diplomatic interventions, and Canada's agenda to improve international fisheries governance. |
| May 4 | Amendments to Canada's Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations (CFPR) are approved, enabling Canada to apply UNFA enforcement procedures to all UNFA parties with fleets in the NRA. |
| April 30 | DFO and Department of National Defence (DND) staff finalize operational plan to target vessels for inspections during fishing operations. |
| March 16 | DFO's Minister announces new, five-and-a-half year, $51-million contract with Provincial Airlines Limited (PAL) to provide aerial surveillance of waters in and outside Canada's 200-mile limit. Annual flying hours under contract total about 4,800 hours; about 2,000 hours dedicated specifically to NRA. |
| March 16 |
DFO's Minister outlines five-year, $17.5 million strategy to enhance Canada's at-sea patrol programs; strengthen DFO co-operation with DND; and increase Canada's monitoring and analysis capacity. |
