Foreign invaders and NAFO (Not A Feasible Organization)

(Thanks Dean for the NAFO definition)

To our MPs in Ottawa

The lifeblood of Newfoundland and Labrador has always been the sea. There can be no doubt that the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially our rural communities, will be profoundly affected by the health of our marine ecosystem. NL is a rural province. Given these factors, which are beyond debate, The Community Linkages Committee comprising of residents across Newfoundland and Labrador appeal to the government of Canada to support every initiative in which NL has an active say in the fishery of the North Atlantic 200 mile limit.

The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has failed to protect or rebuild the fish stocks off Canada?s east coast. On November 16, 2009 in London, England, a special meeting of NAFO was held whereby the organization decided against closing the Flemish Cap shrimp fishery in NAFO area 3M, despite warnings from the NAFO Scientific Council that the stock has collapsed and that the fishery should be closed. Even though the Canadian delegation held firm in advancing their position and took the lead in proposing the closure, the unfortunate reality is that Canada has no voice now within NAFO and we do not see that position improving with the new amendments. NAFO has yet again demonstrated its inability to provide effective stewardship of fish stocks, or apply principles to honour our participation ins such blatant disregard. Something our province has been trying to demonstrate to the Canadian Government for over a decade.

Further to this, the proposed NAFO amendments Article VI Section 8, 9 and 10 do nothing to improve the custodial management of the fisheries promised by this current administration and in fact endanger the sovereignty of the 200 mile limit. Future Fisheries ministers and bureaucrats may unilaterally make decisions which compromise the integrity of the 200 mile limit allowing foreign nations control within our EEZ. This opinion is supported by a great number of former fisheries ministers and industry professionals.

Given these facts Community Linkages on behalf of our members and supporters across Newfoundland and Labrador strongly opposes the proposed amendments to the NAFO convention and will continue to defend the voice of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who oppose these changes. We implore the seven of you as our federal representations to do the same.

--
Everything you need to know you'll find here