May 28, 2010
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans issued the following statement today, at the conclusion of the second review of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement that took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from May 24 to 28, 2010:
“The United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) is a key tool that is helping the international community raise the global standard for the sustainable management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks. Canada has long been a key player in the development of this Agreement, to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of coastal nation’s fish resources. We applaud progress over the past 15 years, and we believe that efforts must continue to ensure broader and stronger implementation of the Agreement.
“Canada has been a world leader in implementing precautionary and ecosystem approaches in national and high seas fisheries, in strengthening regional fisheries management organizations, and in implementing flag state obligations and port state measures.
“As such, the recent adoption of new port state measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by the members of the Food and Agriculture Organization on November 22, 2009 is a welcome development. These port state measures are consistent with Canada’s longstanding domestic practices, which have already proven to be efficient and cost-effective in addressing IUU fishing in our region.
“Canada supports the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement in its current form and calls upon all States that have yet to sign on to do so as soon as possible, in the interest of strong fish stocks today as well as for future generations. Canada continues to lead on many fronts, and we believe it is every country’s individual responsibility to take concrete and decisive action to ensure the sustainability of important straddling and highly migratory fish stocks and protect the fisheries that depend on them.”
Related: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Port State Measures
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For more information:
Nelson Kalil
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
