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BALI, INDONESIA – Two of Canada’s partners in the North Pacific, the Republic of Korea and Japan, today expressed their support for improved international management of fisheries and oceans, said Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
"One by one, fishing nations around the world are stepping forward to show their commitment to reverse the perilous state of global fish stocks," said Minister Regan. "I am very pleased that Korea and Japan share Canada’s objectives to reform regional fisheries management organizations and eliminate illegal fishing."
Canada, the Republic of Korea, and Japan are among the Contracting Parties of three regional fisheries management organizations: the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC), International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The three countries are also engaged in cooperative scientific studies in the North Pacific through their membership in the North Pacific Marine Science Organization to better understand oceanographic conditions, and the warning signs reflected in changes to the world’s oceans.
NPAFC manages salmon and other related fish stocks in the North Pacific by promoting the scientific study of anadromous species and enforcement of fishing restrictions. The NPAFC monitoring and control system has cut illegal, unreported and unregulated fish harvesting in international waters of the North Pacific by about 90 per cent since its peak in 1998. The five NPAFC Contracting Parties, and China, have also signed a non-binding declaration of multilateral cooperation in the fight against illegal fishing activity in this region of the Pacific Ocean.
"The NPAFC’s success in deterring illegal fishing is an example of how political will and multilateral cooperation can achieve concrete results," said Minister Regan. "I encourage other regional fisheries management organizations to investigate the NPAFC monitoring and control system for use as a potential enforcement model."
Minister Regan is in Bali this week to co-chair with Indonesia the 2nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Oceans Ministers’ Meeting. In addition to his APEC duties, the Minister is participating in bilateral meetings with counterparts from Australia, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. His meetings today were with His Excellency Freddy Numberi, Minister for Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Keo-don Oh, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the Republic of Korea, and Mr. Kenro Iino, Japan’s Ambassador in charge of Pacific Fisheries Organisation Affairs.
For more information regarding Canada’s strategy to combat overfishing and improve international fisheries governance, visit: www.overfishing.gc.ca. Canada’s participation at the APEC Oceans Ministers’ Meeting will be featured at:
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/infocus/2005/20050914_e.htm.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Sophie Galarneau
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537
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Greg MacEachern
Media Relations
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474
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