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Proactive Disclosure

Proactive Disclosure

United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement

The United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement provides the basis for the conservation and management of highly migratory and straddling fish stocks in international waters. It outlines obligations for fisheries management that apply to both fishing nations and regional fisheries management organizations

UNFA includes anAssistance Fund to help developing countries fully implement the agreement, once they have ratified it. Specifically, funding is accessible to help developing countries to:

Build technical and scientific capacity in order to perform key activities vital to implementing the agreement, including monitoring, control and surveillance; data collection; and scientific research.
More actively participate in the meetings and activities of relevant regional and sub-regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements.
Improve their ability to negotiate with new or existing partners in regional and sub-regional fisheries management organizations or dispute settlement proceedings.

To access the Fund, developing countries must have already ratified the agreement. To date, more than 30 developing countries have ratified UNFA, including Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Namibia, and South Africa.

Canada’s supporting role

Canada's contribution of $500,000 to the UNFA Part VII Assistance Fund is the largest contribution to date by any UN member. Canada is committed to helping developing countries to overcome the financial or human resource barriers it may encounter to fully implementing the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.

For many developing countries, fishing is vital to food security and economic development. By supporting these nations, Canada is doing its part to help ensure the sustainability of global fish stocks. Over the long term, this will also help protect straddling and migratory fish stocks that are fished and consumed by Canadians.