CANADA 



Canada is not a participant in high-seas fisheries although it maintains an active interest in high-seas fishing 

 due to its history as one of the world's richest fishing grounds. Foreign vessels have fished in waters off Canada 

 since the fifteenth century, shipping home thousands of tons of Atlantic cod and other fish and shellfish. Canada 

 and France have been involved in complex negotiations since both countries extended their Exclusive Economic 

 Zones to 200 miles; the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon both lie close to Newfoundland and the 

 French have claimed rights to fish in these waters. Canada has also been required to deal with countries fishing 

 in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) area off its coasts and with fishing fleets operating 

 beyond Canada's 200-niileEEZ, but harvesting transboundary stocks offish. Canadian fishery officials have also 

 dealt with reflagged vessels (flying the flags of Panama and Honduras) appearing in their waters in recent years. 

 Canada has been a strong supporter of responsible fishing.' 



Canadian fishermen and government officials were able to manage their fisheries effectively for many years, 

 but recently the catch of many key species has declined. An indefinite moratorium on the harvest of Atlantic 

 cod and other groundfish off the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia has had a major impact on the fishing 

 industry of Atlantic Canada. The adverse economic conditions in Atlantic Canada prompted some fishermen 

 and fishing companies to sell some of their assets in an effort to remain viable. In early 1993, Fishing News 

 International reported that Faroese businessmen had gone to Canada to discuss the sale of 15 vessels. The 

 authors have no information whether a sale was concluded. 



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