Canada will work with its international partners in order to try and ensure sustainable fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, to promote economic growth and benefits for those living in coastal communities.
Speaking at the 38th annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) in Varadero, Cuba, Canada expressed its support for science advice and strict management measures that protect straddling fish stocks in the area.
Dominic LeBlanc, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian coast guard, said: “Canada is committed to working with other NAFO members to promote economic growth and ensure prosperous and sustainable fisheries that benefit Canadians living in Atlantic coastal communities.”
He added:” “We recognize the importance of NAFO managed stocks and will continue to play a leadership role in the successful adoption of measures to protect vulnerable marine areas.”
At the meeting, NAFO members accepted Canada’s proposal, to establish an additional closure to protect an area of sea pens on Flemish Cap. The proposal is co-sponsored by Iceland, Norway and the United States.
With the addition of this closure, NAFO has now protected a total of 380,511km2 in its regulatory area.
Canada supported a NAFO resolution to adopt a fins-attached requirement for shark landings, which aligns with existing Canadian policy.
Under these new measures, sharks caught in the NAFO Regulatory Area as bycatch are required to be landed with fins naturally attached.
Mr LeBlanc concluded: “Canada believes that the broad implementation of the UN Agreement on Port State Measures is an effective means to prevent IUU fish from entering international markets. We will continue to work with our partner nations to ensure NAFO is a strong, modern and effective regional fisheries management organisation.”
