Newfoundland Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Tom Hedderson has once again expressed his disappointment with NAFO's decisions. (Photo: NAFO)

NAFO keeps fishery open despite scientists' warnings

CANADA
Friday, November 20, 2009, 03:30 (GMT + 9)

The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) has decided not to protect depleted fish stocks off Canada’s eastern coast, says Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries Minister Tom Hedderson.

In a special NAFO meeting in London, England on Monday, the organisation decided to keep the Flemish Cap shrimp fishery in NAFO area 3M open, despite warnings from the NAFO Scientific Council that the fishery should be closed because the stock has collapsed.

“Our government is once again reminded of the need for a system of custodial management,” said Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Tom Hedderson. “The decision to continue this fishery in the face of clear scientific advice and low commercial catch rates, speaks volumes as to NAFO’s lack of commitment to conservation and sustainable management.”

The Canadian delegation proposed shutting down the fishery per scientific advice.

“Even though the Canadian delegation held firm in advancing their position and took the lead in proposing the closure, the unfortunate reality is that NAFO has yet again demonstrated its inability to provide effective stewardship of fish stocks,” Hedderson stated.

The proposal was supported by Norway, the US and Iceland, but six other member states supported a European Union (EU) proposal to reduce the allocated fishing days for shrimp by 50 per cent instead.

The fishing days allocated to the countries engaged in this fishery have not been fully utilised in recent years. Therefore, there will not be any reduction in the amount of shrimp that can be taken -- meaning that a significant fishery can still take place.

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is greatly concerned over the consequence of this decision for the 3L shrimp fishery, which straddles the 200mi-exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Canada’s east coast. This area is targeted by NL’s inshore and offshore shrimping fleets.

The low catch rates and smaller shrimp in 3M will constitute a strong economic incentive to misreport 3L landings and overfish this stock, which is also showing signs suggestive of impending depletion.

“Our government is now calling upon the Government of Canada to maintain a high level of vigilance in the monitoring of foreign fishing in the 3L region,” said Minister Hedderson. “We continue to ask the Federal Government to pursue a system of custodial management so that we can achieve the conservation that is required to protect the NL fishing industry into the future.”

Related articles:

- Newfoundland rebukes feds over NAFO TACs
- Study of NAFO fishing grounds ends

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com