ST. JOHN'S - The general public in both Europe and Canada share a desire to see more severe penalties for those who break international fishing rules, and a belief that science can help save global fish stocks, according to new public opinion research commissioned by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. These findings were presented today to media by Environics Research Group during the international conference on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the United Nations Fish Agreement in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Participants in focus groups on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean appreciated the historic importance of fishing to their countries and saw major problems in today's international fisheries. Canadians identified the main issue as overfishing, while Europeans said the problem is the depletion of fish stocks due to a variety of causes. There was general agreement that the consequences for vessels caught overfishing need to be more severe. However, both Canadian and European participants were skeptical that bad behaviour by fishing vessels would be punished adequately. The general public also lacked awareness of the existence of regional fisheries management organizations, but were of the opinion that international bodies were necessary to manage these global resources. "What we see in these focus groups is the value Canadians and Europeans place on sustainable fisheries and their desire for governments to act decisively to protect ocean resources," said the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. "Canadians want us to be leaders on this issue, and these results will help us focus our international diplomatic and advocacy efforts to improve our management of the high seas." Many participants stressed the leading role that science should play in the management of fish stocks, and there was strong support, particularly in Europe and in urban centres in Canada, for the idea that management efforts on the high seas should be broadened to include oceans ecosystems. Canada's efforts to stop overfishing and improve international fisheries governance were supported by Canadian participants. They wanted the Government to take strong action and to demonstrate a long-term commitment to solving the issue. European participants were wary of Canada's motives, but recognized the need for action and were willing to join Canada's initiative as part of a broader international effort. Two focus group sessions were held in each of the following Canadian communities: Toronto, ON; Calgary, AB; Nanaimo, BC; Halifax, NS; and Clarenville and St. John's, NL. A total of nine focus group sessions were conducted in the following European locations: Boulogne-sur-mer (Hardelot), France; Stockholm, Sweden; Aveiro and Lisbon, Portugal; and Vigo, Spain. All sessions lasted two hours and were conducted by Environics. Prime Minister Paul Martin has made overfishing a key foreign policy priority. Canada's approach to the overfishing issue is three-fold: 1) maintain vigilant monitoring and surveillance to curb incidents of non-compliance on the high seas while 2) actively engaging in diplomatic and advocacy activities that compel countries to take responsibility for the actions of their fleets and create the conditions for change in order to 3) improve international fisheries governance over the longer term. For more information and text of the full report: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/focus/index_e.htm Media may also contact: -30- For More Information: Phil Jenkins Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 990-7537 Sujata Raisinghani Press Secretary Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 992-3474
