NEWS RELEASES
NEW STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS CANADA-U.S.PACIFIC SALMON FISHERY
March 5, 1996 No. 33
NEW STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS CANADA-U.S.
PACIFIC SALMON FISHERY
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Fred
Mifflin today announced that discussions on the implementation of the Pacific
Salmon Treaty will continue on a bilateral basis with the United States.
The Ministers were informed last week by the mediator, Ambassador Christopher
Beeby of New Zealand, that his role in mediation of the equity principle under the
Treaty had reached the end of the road, and that he no longer saw a role for
himself, given the gap in views between the two parties. Thus, for the short
term, Canada will continue negotiations in the Pacific Salmon Commission to obtain
agreement on 1996 fishing plans to ensure conservation of the fisheries resource.
For the long term, Canada is committed to the full implementation of the Treaty,
in order to meet the interests of B.C. fishers and ensure the well-being of the
resource.
"Canada will now proceed with direct bilateral discussions with the United
States," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are committed to finding a solution in
consultation with B.C. stakeholders. We will focus on establishing fishing
arrangements for the 1996 season, beginning with discussions at the Pacific Salmon
Commission. Beyond that, we will seek to ensure with the United States the long-term conservation and revitalization of the Pacific Salmon fishery."
Mr. Mifflin said: "I am very disappointed that the mediation process, designed to
address the dispute with the United States over the equity principle of the
Pacific Salmon Treaty, has ended without reaching agreement. We are currently
reviewing our options for resolving the equity issue with the United States. We
have reaffirmed with the U.S. our continuing resolve to address this issue,
because Canadian fishers are now at a serious disadvantage."
The federal government is committed to taking the steps necessary for conservation
and to providing Canada with a fair share of the salmon resource, based on
Canadian production as set out in the Treaty.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Bud Graham
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Regional Headquarters
Vancouver, B.C.
(604) 666-6931
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