Canada and France (in respect of its St. Pierre and Miquelon territories) have reached an agreement on a sharing arrangement for Atlantic halibut fisheries.
This stock is found mainly in Canadian waters, with a small percentage of the stock also within the French Maritime Zone off the coast of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The Government of Canada recognises the importance of this stock, to both Canadian and French fisheries, and following several months of recent negotiations, agreement has been reached that allows French fishermen from St. Pierre and Miquelon 3% of the TAC set by Canada.
The agreement allows French harvesters to target Atlantic halibut in the French Exclusive Economic Zone and in the high seas, but not in Canadian waters, and it also provides for greater cooperation on science relatinfg to Atlantic halibut.
‘I am pleased with the outcomes of our negotiations with France. I am confident that we’ve reached an equitable agreement that will ensure the long-term health of the Atlantic halibut stock while supporting the economies and coastal communities of both Canada and France,’ said Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier, commenting that this allocation will allow for measured growth of the St. Pierre and Miquelon Atlantic halibut fishery, while also providing benefits for Canadian coastal communities through French landings of Atlantic halibut in Canadian ports.
The agreement is not time-limited, although provision is made for each of the parties to request a revision every three years.
‘I welcome the outcome of the negotiations on halibut, which have been the subject of numerous discussions between France and Canada,’ said France’s newly-appointed minister for fisheries Fabrice Loher.
‘It allows us to reach an agreement on halibut that respects the interests of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, promoting the sustainability of fishing for this high-value species and improving scientific knowledge.’
