Brussels, 28/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 April in Brussels, Karmenu Vella, the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, and Hunter Tootoo, the Canadian Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, signed a joint declaration committing the two parties to doing everything in their power to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
The spokesperson for Commissioner Vella explained "Today's statement cements and formalises the already fruitful cooperation between the EU and Canada at various levels: bilaterally, in regional fisheries management organisations". Canada and the EU will therefore strengthen monitoring and compliance measures, and to exchange information on suspected and proven cases of non-compliance.
Karmenu Vella was keen to point out that Canada was one of the partners with which the EU intended to cooperate in the fishing domain, as well as for implementing the new Arctic strategy (see EUROPE 11541). Mr Vella also discussed ocean governance with Mr Tootoo.
Mr Vella said that IUU fishing accounts for €10 billion every year and is still a major problem. He believes that it is a global problem that requires a global response. In a reference to the joint EU/Canada statement on tackling INN fishing, Mr Vella explained "We will not allow products from illegal fishing to find an opening on our markets and will not allow fishermen to engage in this kind of criminal activity". The EU has already signed similar declarations with the US and Japan.
Similarly to the EU, Canada is one of the biggest markets in the world for fishing products and Canada is a "key ally" of the EU in the fight against INN fishing, concluded Mr Vella, who also said that European regulation on this issue "is one of the most advanced policies in the world" (see EUROPE 11537 on the most recent EU decisions regarding third countries).
Hunter Tootoo even went as far as describing the day as "historic" and that it would enable the different parties to work together more closely than ever before, as well as share more information, step up controls and have more effective resources for ensuring respect for the rules. The Canadian ministers stated "If we did nothing against INN fishing, this phenomenon could have a devastating effect on marine ecosystems, compromise the viability of fish and fishery resources, as well as deprive the global economy of billions of dollars, whilst threatening the livelihoods of those involved in legitimate fishing". Canada is a world leader in this struggle, he said. He also referred to a good example of cooperation with the US and Japan for reducing the use of drift nets in the North Pacific Ocean. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)