As per the information released by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans the Government of Canada has ratified the amended Convention of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). Norway was the first to ratify the convention. Minister Shea informed that Canada has demonstrated leadership and pressed hard for the modernization of NAFO in order to improve compliance, enhance enforcement and ensure sustainable fisheries management.
She also told that the government is proud of the actions NAFO has taken to reduce and penalize illegal fishing activities. Canada will continue to work with our partners to ensure responsible fisheries management in the NAFO Regulatory Area. It is told that the amended convention provides for better management decisions that incorporate precautionary and ecosystem-based approaches; improves governance by limiting objections and implementing a robust dispute settlement mechanism; and holds accountable those who break the rules.
Shea said that there were also extensive discussions in parliament, including three parliamentary committees, which reflect the government’s commitment to transparency and support for public review of international treaties. She opined that after more than a decade of over-fishing, misreporting, high-grading and disregard for environmental responsibility by some NAFO parties, NAFO has taken substantial steps toward improvement in recent years, and this amended convention represents further progress for Canada’s leadership efforts and responsible fisheries management.
