Brussels, 06/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 6 July, Canada and the EU announced joint at-sea inspection patrols in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) Regulatory Area, i.e. the north west of the Atlantic Ocean, from 20 July. This partnership sealed between Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hearn and European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg, is a first step towards real reform of fisheries control measures within NAFO. “By working together, we'll be able to stop more would-be violators of the rules in order to protect fish stocks for the benefit of the many,” said the Canadian minister. “Governments must take action together to address all illegal fishing activities - joint inspection patrols are just one way the EU and Canada are joining forces to do just that,” said Dr Borg.
Under the terms of the agreement, EU inspectors will join their Canadian counterparts on patrols at sea in the NAFO regulatory area. There will also be joint aerial surveillance in the area.