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Archived – Canada Warns Faroese and Greenlandic Fishing Authorities of Port Closures for Overfishing 3L Shrimp
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January 26, 2010
OTTAWA – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has taken action against overfishing of Division 3L shrimp by Faroese and Greenlandic fishing vessels in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Regulatory Area (NRA).
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to the Faroe Islands and Greenland as of February 15, 2010 unless the objection to their NAFO quota of 3L shrimp is withdrawn and they comply with the NAFO quota of 334t.
“Canada has been working in good faith to resolve issues in NAFO regarding the allocation of 3L shrimp for the Faroese and Greenlandic fleets, but their continued overfishing is unacceptable and the time for action is now,” said Minister Shea. “Several NAFO parties share Canada’s concerns and agree that any quota adjustments must not be excessive and should be consistent with scientific advice.”
The position held by Denmark in respect of Faroe Islands and Greenland (DFG) is far from that held by the rest of the NAFO Contracting Parties, including Canada. DFG has unilaterally set a quota of 3,101 tonnes, almost ten times greater than their NAFO quota. This sets a dangerous precedent that could impact conservation of the species.
Canada originally closed its ports to fishing vessels from the Faroe Islands and Greenland in December 2004, but reopened them in March 2008. This was done as a sign of good faith ahead of talks between NAFO countries aimed at breaking the impasse on 3L shrimp quotas.
The Government of Canada remains committed to a multilateral resolution to this issue and will continue to look for ways to advance the discussions as Division 3L shrimp remains an important straddling stock for Canada and other NAFO members.
For more information about Canada’s commitment to sustainable international fisheries or NAFO, visit www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/overfishing-surpeche. You can also follow the Department on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dfo_mpo.
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For more information:
Alain Belle-Isle
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-993-5413
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
NR-HQ-10-03E
