Memorandum of Understanding on Fisheries Cooperation

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON FISHERIES COOPERATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS OF CANADA AND THE MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND COASTAL AFFAIRS OF NORWAY ON BILATERAL CO-OPERATION ON FISHERIES, AQUACULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE ISSUES

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada and the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs of Norway, hereinafter referred to as the "Participants",

Recognizing the importance of ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources;

Noting that Canada and Norway are both Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and the Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, done at New York on 4 December 1995;

Recognizing the former and existing co-operation in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture;

Reaffirming the close ties between both countries and their shared values and approaches in regional and multilateral fora;

Noting the inter-relationship between the sustainable management of the living marine resources and biological research, technical and technological knowledge, and other relevant standards and their importance for the production, marketing and refinement of living marine resources;

With a view to strengthen, promote and further develop co-operation, discussion and the exchange of information between participants for the rational management, conservation and utilization of living marine resources, particularly in the North Atlantic Ocean and the importance of cooperation on broader oceans issues, including emerging issues in environmental challenges in the North and international governance;

Recognizing the existing level of scientific collaboration between the Participants and their desire to increase scientific cooperation and scientific exchanges in areas of common interest;

Have reached the following understanding:

1. Purpose

(a) The Participants will aim to promote mutual cooperation in conformity with international law and take into due consideration the related laws and regulations of both Participants.

(b)The Participants will, within their respective areas of competence, aim to promote mutual co-operation and facilitate contact between Canada and Norway on any matter related to fisheries, aquaculture and the oceans, including common challenges in the North;

2. Joint Committee

(a) The Participants will establish a Joint Committee to ensure the management of the Memorandum of Understanding.

(b) The Joint Committee will meet annually, alternately in Canada and Norway.

(c) The location of the meetings and the organizational form and working procedures of the Joint Committee will be discussed and decided upon at the first meeting.

(d) At the annual joint meeting, the Participants will have the opportunity to raise and discuss any bilateral or multilateral issue of relevance to the fisheries sector and any other issues.

3. Development of Technical and Scientific Cooperation

The Participants will, within their respective areas of competence, promote the development of technical and scientific cooperation related to fisheries, aquaculture and oceans issues. This could, inter alia, include issues relating to ecosystem-based oceans management and emerging issues in environmental challenges in the North, bioprospecting, and the exchange of scientific experts and the coordination of research campaigns, particularly in the northwest Atlantic.

4. Non-Legally Binding

This Memorandum of Understanding does not create obligations for the Participants and is not legally binding under international law.

5. Amendment

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended or supplemented at any time by mutual consent of both Participants, expressed in writing.

6. Effective Date and Termination

(a) This Memorandum of Understanding will take effect on the date of its signature.

(b) Either Participant may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding by means of a written communication to the other Participant on three months' notice. The termination will be effective from the date of reception of the notice by the other Participant.

Signed in duplicate at St. Julian, Malta, on this 22 day of May 2008, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.


For the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans of Canada

For the Ministry of Fisheries and  Coastal Affairs of Norway
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