NR-HQ-01-79E

Canada Signs Pacific Highly Migratory Fish Stocks Convention

August 2, 2001

OTTAWA -- John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that Canada has signed the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

The Convention, adopted on September 4, 2000, is designed to regulate and manage highly migratory species (mostly tuna) in the Central and Western portions of the Pacific Ocean. It is estimated that the total catch of the target highly migratory species (mainly yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack and albacore tunas) has been approximately 1.5 million tonnes per year during the 1990s.

"The Convention provides a solid framework for the conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean where there is currently no management regime to regulate high seas fishing of highly migratory stocks," said Mr. Dhaliwal. "Canada’s signature demonstrates the government’s support for the Convention and signals its commitment to the conservation and responsible management of highly migratory fish stocks."

"The Canadian Government is committed to protecting the interests of Canada’s fishing industry on the international scene," said Mr. Manley. "The government will encourage other states to sign the Convention. By working with countries which share this common resource, we can ensure that effective measures are in place to protect the fishery."

Canada’s primary objective throughout the negotiation sessions of the Convention was to elaborate a strong conservation and management regime consistent with the 1995 United Nations Agreement on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, particularly regarding the precautionary approach, dispute settlement procedures and high seas monitoring and enforcement.

Canada’s main fisheries interests in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean currently are in northern and southern albacore tuna stocks. The northern stock is fished on the high seas by vessels from Canada, the United States and Japan, while more numerous fleets pursue the southern fishery.