FAROE ISLANDS AND GREENLAND VESSELS BANNED FROM CANADIAN PORTS

News Release

December 2, 2004 OTTAWA -- The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the closure of Canadian ports to the Faroese and Greenlandic fleets. This measure was taken in response to resumed fishing of Division 3L shrimp by Faroese vessels in excess of the 2004 quota set by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). "Port closures are an important measure against overfishing," said Minister Regan. "They serve to dissuade other vessels from engaging in non-compliant activities and can pose significant economic hardship for the vessels involved." Division 3L shrimp is an important straddling stock for Canada and other NAFO members. Denmark, on behalf of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, was allocated 144 tonnes (t) of Division 3L shrimp by NAFO for the 2004 season. The same quota was also allocated to 14 other NAFO Contracting Parties. On June 30, 2004, Denmark objected to the NAFO 3L shrimp allocation scheme and its 144 t quota, and unilaterally set a quota of 1,344 t for the 2004 fishing season. Minister Regan and officials of Fisheries and Oceans Canada have expressed to the Danish Fisheries Minister and his officials Canada's serious concerns with these actions. Attempts were also made to try to address the issue during the NAFO annual meeting in September 2004, but they did not meet with success. "Denmark's disregard of NAFO-set quotas sets a poor example for other fishing nations and the global fishing industry," said Minister Regan. "This is an allocation issue that needs to be resolved by NAFO." "I urge Denmark to take its dispute off the water and try to build multilateral support for its goals within the NAFO process. I also urge all NAFO members to play an active role in this process." Four vessels from the Faroe Islands and one from Greenland have been involved in the 2004 3L shrimp fishery. Combined, these vessels reported catches of 908 t when they ceased fishing 3L shrimp in August. The resumption of fishing for 3L shrimp today by the Faroese is an indication that they intend to continue fishing this stock until the unilateral quota is met. "The abusive use of the objection procedure by Denmark to address an allocation issue undermines the credibility of NAFO as well as the organization's ability to properly manage fish stocks," said Minister Regan. "It demonstrates the urgent need for reform of the NAFO governance regime." The decision to close Canada's ports to Faroese and Greenlandic vessels is supported by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and many NL industry advisors. The ports will remain closed to these vessels until Denmark provides satisfactory assurance that it will comply with the NAFO-set 3L shrimp quota. Backgrounder The NAFO Objection Procedure -30- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Christiane Parcigneau Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 998-1530 Brian Underhill Director of Communications Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 992-3474

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Date modified:: 2004-12-02

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FAROE ISLANDS AND GREENLAND VESSELS BANNED FROM CANADIAN PORTS

News Release

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