TL: A GREENPEACE REPORT ON TURBOT: History, About the Spanish, NAFA, EU/EC, Canada, overfishing and politics. SO: Greenpeace Canada, (GP) DT: March 14, 1995 Keywords: environment oceans fisheries canada europe problems / BACKGROUNDER ON THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES ORGANIZATION AND THE TURBOT FISHERY CONTENTS 1) brief explanation on NAFO, 2) a short history of the first NAFO wars in the 1980s, 3) the turbot fishery by Canada and the others, 4) the status of the turbot stock and finally the events of the past few months. 5) The arrest of the Spanish vessel Estai by Canadian fishery officers in international waters March 9 1995. MARCH 14 1994 c GREENPEACE Note: turbot is also known as Greenland halibut, and in French is turbot, fletan noir or fletan du Groenland. Its scientific name is Reinhardtius hippoglossoides. 1. NAFO The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (founded in 1978) is the regional fisheries body which is responsible for managing the fisheries beyond the Canadian EEZ. The convention which created it is the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries. The emphasis is still definitely on the word 'Future'. NAFO currently has 15 members: Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba, Denmark (on behalf of Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Estonia, the European Union, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania and Russia. NAFO establishes Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for those stocks which straddle the boundary of the Canadian EEZ (on the so-called Nose and Tail of the Grand Bank, or NAFO subareas 3L, 3N and 3O) as well as those which are found completely outside Canada's waters (on the Flemish Cap, NAFO subarea 3M). Traditionally, NAFO has managed 10 of these stocks, consisting of cod (2 stocks), redfish (2 stocks), American plaice (2 stocks), and one stock of each of yellowtail flounder, witch, capelin and squid. Prior to 1994, Canada had set quotas for turbot in its own waters, but catches beyond the EEZ were unregulated. 2. The First NAFO War NAFO functions by establishing TACs for its stocks and then allocating them among its member countries. As with most such conventions, there is a procedure whereby a country can lodge an objection against a conservation measure which has been agreed by NAFO. The country is then free to ignore that particular agreement. In 1986, when Spain and Portugal joined the (then) European Community, the EC began using the objection procedure to ignore the NAFO allocations and to set its own autonomous quotas at much higher levels. It frequently exceeded even these quotas. For instance, in 1986 the NAFO allocation for the EC for cod in 3NO was 14,750 tonnes. The EC awarded itself a quota of 26,400 tonnes, and then reported to NAFO that it had actually caught 30,470 tonnes. By 1988 the EC was setting its own autonomous quota for seven stocks managed by NAFO. In addition, the EC was giving itself a quota for Northern cod, another cod stock found mostly in Canadian wates (NAFO subarea 2J3KL) and for which NAFO had established a moratorium. It was Northern cod which crashed off Newfoundland so spectacularly in the early 1990s. The following table gives an idea of the scale of these autonomous quotas. The figures are for all stocks managed by NAFO combined as well as the EC autonomous quotas for Northern cod. quota awarded EC autonomous EC catches to EC by NAFO quota 1986 25,665 102,460 172,183 1987 23,170 110,300 140,842 1988 19,010 163,400 85,363 1989 13,155 132,290 93,476 1990 15,377 59,400 46,298 1991 20,049 54,049 56,080 This behaviour prompted Canada to launch a major public campaign in Europe to persuade the EC to abide by NAFO recommendations. By the early 1990s, the discrepancy between the NAFO allocations to the EC and the quotas which the EC set for itself had decreased, but it wasn't until the 1993 fishing season that the (renamed) European Union agreed to abide by all NAFO recommendations. There were probably a number of factors involved in this decision, including the efforts of the then EC Fisheries Commissioner, Manuel Marin, to persuade the Council of Ministers to accept NAFO decisions. Another important factor was that the stocks being managed by NAFO were declining, so there were fewer fish for the EC to catch. In 1986, the TACs set by NAFO for all eight groundfish stocks under their management (i.e. except capelin and squid) came to a total of 167,965 tonnes. By 1994, NAFO had instituted moratoria on five of these species, and the TACs for the other three totalled 51,000 tonnes. The EC's flagrant disregard of the management decisions of the appropriate multilateral body was obvious. Initially, Canada insisted that the fault for the declining stocks did not lie with them, even though they were fishing several of these stocks as well. On a recent trip to Iceland, though, Brian Tobin, the Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, finally admitted that the Canadians bore considerable responsibility for the decline in Northern cod. 3. The Turbot Fishery Turbot is found from Davis Strait in the north (between Greenland and Baffin Island) to the southern Grand Banks off eastern Newfoundland. It is currently thought that this is a single stock, spawning in Davis Strait. There is a separate stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Historically, turbot has been fished by Canada and Greenland, the two coastal states. During the 1970s, prior to the declaration of the Canadian EEZ, significant catches were also made by Poland, Germany and the former USSR. Beginning in 1990, as the deterioration in the status of the stocks managed by NAFO became apparent, a few countries began targeting turbot in the international waters outside the Canadian zone. An extensive fishery developed in the deep water between the Grand Bank and the Flemish Cap, principally by Spain and Portugal, as well as vessels from countries such as Panama which are not members of NAFO (referred to as Non-Contracting Parties). Total catches of turbot in NAFO Divisions 2 and 3, in Canadian and international waters, since 1978 are as follows: Total Catch Canadian Share EU Share (tonnes) 1978 39,323 63.5% 4.1% 1979 34,328 87.9% 0.5% 1980 33,208 96.9% 0.6% 1981 31,052 78.8% - 1982 26,447 73.5% 7.1% 1983 27,908 61.5% 6.9% 1984 24,925 69.6% 10.7% 1985 18,921 65.3% 19.0% 1986 16,052 51.9% 19.5% 1987 31,519 43.0% 6.2% 1988 19,323 44.4% 22.0% 1989 20,159 60.1% 18.1% 1990 26,903 35.3% 48.0% 1991 34,834 20.0% 59.2% 1992 58,798 12.1% 76.7% 1993 53,645 9.6% 82.9% 1978-93 497,525 50.1% 29.8% 249,385 148,127 tonnes tonnes Catches by the Canadians and the European Union follow opposite trends. The Canadian catches have traditionally formed the majority of the total, and only declined in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Conversely, the EU catches were a relatively small proportion of the total until 1990. For example, Spain reported no catches of turbot at all from 1979 through 1986, and only 144 tonnes from 1987 to 1989. By 1993, Spanish catches had leapt to 35,640 tonnes. 4. Biological Status of Turbot In September 1994, the Scientific Council of NAFO reviewed the status of turbot in Subareas 2 and 3KL. They stated that an analytical assessment of turbot was not possible, due to poor understanding of the structure of the stock and its migratory pattern. However, they noted that turbot, being a slowly growing species, could not sustain high exploitation levels. A number of recent resource surveys provide an indication of the status of the stock. Surveys by Canadians in waters less than 1000 metres show a continued decline in biomass throughout the subareas 2J and 3KL from 1982 to 1992, with the estimate for 1992 being by far the lowest in the time series available. Fewer surveys are available for turbot in deeper waters, but the data show an overall reduction in biomass of about 60% between 1991 and 1994. Russian surveys further to the north, off Labrador in 2GH, showed that the abundance and biomass of turbot were greatly reduced in 1992 compared to levels observed in the early 1980s. Recent surveys showed that there are very few fish in the population which are older than 10 years, and that the trawl fisheries exploit mainly immature fish. The Scientific Council concluded in 1994 that "the present fishery exploits this component [of the turbot stock] well above sustained levels and that current effort levels must be reduced." They continued "All available stock indicators (survey results and catch rates in the commercial fisheries) suggests a significant decline of abundance." 5. The Second NAFO War Last September, following concern about increasing catches of turbot outside the Canadian EEZ, and declines in the stock biomass, NAFO established regulations for the turbot fishery for 1995. The TAC was set at 27,000 tonnes for NAFO Subareas 2+3, from the northern tip of Labrador to the southern Grand Bank and the Flemish Cap. The European Union accepted this TAC, which is significantly lower than the total catches for turbot in recent years. Since NAFO had not previously set a TAC for turbot, a meeting was held from 30 January to 1 February 1995 to allocate the TAC among the NAFO members. After a vote, the following quotas were awarded: Canada 16,300 tonnes 60.37% European Union 3,400 12.59% Russia 3,200 11.85% Japan 2,600 9.63% Others 1,500 5.56% TOTAL 27,000 100 Subsequently, the European Union exercised its right to file an objection and awarded itself an autonomous quota of 18,630 tonnes, or 69% of the TAC. While reaffirming its commitment to conservation and the TAC, the EU has given itself a quota which would result in a total catch by all nations of 42,230 tonnes, or more than 50% in excess of the agreed TAC. Only if the other countries which have quotas for turbot decrease their allocation can the overall TAC be respected. According to the European Commission, the EU has already caught more than the 3,400 tonnes of turbot allocated to them by NAFO. On 3 March 1995, Canada proposed a 60 day moratorium on fishing for turbot, in order to allow time for this dispute to be resolved by negotiation. On 6 March, the EU rejected the suggestion. Then, on 9 March, Canadian fishery patrol vessels seized the Spanish trawler "Estai" and escorted her to St. John's, Newfoundland. As a result, the EU has requested that an emergency meeting of NAFO members be held on 22-24 March in order to resolve this dispute. Date: FRI 17-MAR-95 23:54:41 GMT Turbot -- A Front Line in the Global Wars Over Declining Fish The Global Fisheries Crisis and the United Nations Fisheries Conference The recent arrest of a Spanish trawler by the Canadian Fisheries Department in the turbot fishery off Canada is just the latest in a long line of clashes at sea around the world, where nations and fishers fight for access to dwindling fish stocks. Poor fisheries management the world over has led to depletion of fish stocks one after another. What must end now in order to restore fish stocks and peace in fisheries is the business as usual attitude of parties that opt for unilateral actions and aggressive efforts to block legally binding measures to conserve fish stocks. Governments charged with turning around the global fisheries crisis will convene again at the United Nations in New York on March 27 to address fisheries management of fish stocks like the turbot, which "straddle" national Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and international waters, as well as highly migratory fish stocks. It is crucial that the UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks result in a strong, legally binding treaty when it concludes in July. Aggressive measures such as those taking place over turbot threaten the fish stocks and marine life and the successful conclusion of these critical negotiations. The European Union (EU): Despite wide international agreement to a legally binding treaty to conserve fish stocks in international waters and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) at the United Nations Conference, the EU, mainly because of Spanish and French pressure, remains opposed to such responsible movement. The EU is resisting progress on critical points including the need for a binding treaty and a strong Precautionary Approach to fisheries management. The EU claims that a legally binding treaty would take too long to conclude and bring into effect. Instead, the EU and its main fishing countries, are supporting the weakest possible option for achieving conservation for declining fish stocks, the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing. This code is voluntary rather than legally binding and is taking longer to negotiate even than the UN draft treaty on fisheries. The EU, mainly under the pressure of Spain, is also resisting the adoption of the Precautionary Principle as the underlying principle of fisheries management, when its own legislation (the Maastricht Treaty) demands that the Precautionary Principle be implemented in environmental protection as well as through other EU policies such as the fisheries policy. On the other hand, the EU strongly argues that conservation and management measures must be applied according to the biological unity of fish stocks -- meaning across the whole range of the stock inside and outside the high seas and national EEZs, and that there should not be double standards. This is a good concept if applied consistently, based on the strictest management and conservation measures. But the practices of Spain and Portugal in the North West Atlantic turbot fishery, in which their fleets fish far beyond the quota allocated by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), exemplify the EU's way to apply the principle of biological unity. The EU's interpretation does not seem to mean the application of strict conservation measures across the whole range of fish stocks but actually the application of their singular rights to destroy the fish stocks through unilateral overfishing and the implementation of the lowest conservation measures. The EU also seems to be using this concept in order to prolong polarisation of the battle between coastal states and states that fish on the high seas. In summary, the EU is using stall tactics to block the adoption and implementation of strict conservation and management of jeopardized marine resources. These tactics in international arenas coupled with their unilateral actions at sea only deepen the global fisheries crisis. The EU is constantly avoiding the reforms necessary to turn around the fisheries crisis, and is trying to maintain a status quo which has driven fish stocks and fishing communities to disaster. Canada: Canada, as well, has some sea to cover before it can be considered internationally responsible. Recent acknowledgements by Canada of their complicity in the collapse of the Cod stocks is a welcome change of attitude. But Canada has not agreed in the draft treaty to adopt strict conservation and management measures inside their Exclusive Economic Zone that are consistent with those they demand of high seas fishing states. Instead, Canada has joined attempts to weaken the obligations in the draft treaty of coastal states to conserve fish in their Exclusive Economic Zones. Today, Canada and other coastal fishing states are only obligated to apply three Articles -- 5,6 and 7 -- of the 47 Articles and three annexes contained in the draft treaty. (* See note below) Their refusal to push for strengthened conservation and management measures in their own waters coupled with their unilateral enforcement actions against fishing on the high seas is counterproductive. Should Canada continue this course, it could appear Canada is only interested in extending her economic reach across the ocean rather than protecting and conserving the declining fish stocks and jeopardized ecosystems in the region. **************** In both cases, opting for unilateral actions rather than accepting to work multilaterally to conserve the fish stocks and adopt strict conservation and management is only exacerbating this crisis for the fish and for the fishermen and might jeopardize the successful conclusion of the United Nations Fisheries Conference. Concerning the conflict in the turbot fishery, Greenpeace demands that: * an immediate moratorium be imposed on all parties fishing for turbot until this crisis is resolved in a way which will ensure the conservation and indeed the recovery of the turbot stock; * that NAFO regulations be strictly binding and that no objections (opting out) be allowed. Measures and obligations that Greenpeace is urging the UN Fisheries Conference to adopt at the international level as well as through regional organisations and implement throughout fish stocks' migratory range must ensure, at a minimum: * a precautionary and ecosystem approach to fisheries management including: - stringent conservation and management standards applied throughout the range of the stocks; - a rapid phase-out of non-selective fishing gear and other destructive practices, thereby resulting in major reductions in bycatch, waste, discards, and damage to marine habitat; - the obligation to protect the marine environment from the adverse impacts of non-fishing activities (e.g., marine pollution, habitat degradation) as integral to fisheries conservation; - commitments by coastal states and distant water states, via "coherence, compatibility" or "consistency" provisions to adopt and implement strengthened conservation standards both within the EEZs and on the high seas; * significant reductions in fishing capacity; * respect for the rights and special interests of small- scale, artisanal, indigenous and women fishworkers and communities traditionally and culturally dependent on fisheries for food and livelihood; * effective mechanisms for the monitoring, control and surveillance of distant water fleets and vessels fishing on the high seas; * effective mechanisms for transparency and public participation in fisheries decision-making process. -------------- * Note -- The draft treaty text is titled "Draft Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (A/Conf.164/22)" Within the draft treaty there are only three Articles that apply directly to fishing within the EEZs of coastal States such as Canada. These are Article 5 "General Principles", Article 6 "The Application of the Precautionary Approach" and Article 7 "Compatibility of Conservation and Management Measures". However, the application, within EEZs, of the general principles for fisheries conservation contained in Article 5 is qualified (in Article 3) by the term "mutatis mutandis". In principle this would mean that coastal States would be free to apply or ignore the provisions of Article 5 as they please. Other Articles only apply to the extent that coastal States have a duty to cooperate with States fishing on the high seas. AN OVERVIEW OF GLOBAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE SPANISH FISHING FLEET PROVIDED BY GREENPEACE CANADA MARCH 14, 1995 [] Anglo-Spanish trawler Blenheim arrested by Royal Navy for suspected breaches of fishing regulations. - The Independent September 3, 1994 [] "The Naval Service ship, LE Aoife, detained two British registered Spanish fishing vessels for alleged illegal fishing on Monday night. One was detained 60 miles west of Mizen Head and the other 34 miles south west of Skelligs, off the Kerry coast." - The Irish Times August 24, 1994 [] French Navy arrested Spanish trawler Almi Ketxu carrying 1,320 pounds undersized fish. (Basque ship) - Reuter European Community Report August 23, 1994 [] "The French Minister for Fisheries announced that five Spanish vessels had attacked four French vessels off the coast of Cap Breton and that the Spaniards had used gunfire, wounding a French fisherman." [Bay of Biscay] - AGENCE EUROPE, August 20, 1994 [] "GREENPEACE called on the Spanish government yesterday to police its fishing fleets more effectively, writes Danny Penman. The call follows the environmental group's claims that Spanish fishing boats are using illegal drift-nets in the Straits of Gibraltar, and the attacks on Cornish fishing vessels by Spanish fishermen in the Atlantic tuna grounds." - The Independent August 17, 1994 [] Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior seized illegal drift nets from Spanish fishing boats near Gibraltar. - The Independent August 16, 1994 [] " British fishermen complained late yesterday that 11 Spanish trawlers had surrounded a single British vessel fishing for tuna in the Bay of Biscay. A Cornish fishermen's association spokesman said the Spanish fishermen carried axes and cut away the nets and fishing gear of the British boat." - Lloyds List August 5, 1994 [] "Britain protested to Spain on Thursday over attacks by Spanish fishermen on its trawlers in the Bay of Biscay in a row over tuna fishing." - Reuters World Service August 4, 1994 [] "SPANISH FISHING VESSELS DETAINED The Gardai at Galway have reported that trawlers Chimbote and Purita were arrested by the Irish Navy on Apr 21 due to illegal fishing and taken to Galway." - Lloyds List July 5, 1994 [] Two Spanish fishing vessels were detained in separate incidents by the Naval Service on Tuesday afternoon for alleged breaches of fishing regulations. The LE Eithne escorted a Spanish vessel, Garsa, to Castletownbere, Co Cork, after it was stopped for alleged illegal fishing about 136 miles south of Fastnet." - The Irish Times June 2, 1994 [] "A Spanish trawler, the Playa de Laga, was detained on Wednesday evening for alleged illegal fishing and logbook infringements." - The Irish Times May 27, 1994 [] "Two Spanish fishing vessels have been detained by the Naval Service patrol vessel Aoife over the past two days and taken to Galway to be charged with illegal fishing off the south-west coast. M trawler Chimbote (197 tons gross, built 1969) was boarded 150 miles west of Valentia and a second vessel, n trawler Purita (197 tons gross, built 1963) was detained some hours later. - "The Irish Times." - Lloyds List April 25, 1994 [] "Spanish trawlers surrounded two Moroccan fishing boats and threatened to sink them in Atlantic waters the Spanish claimed were reserved for them, a newspaper reported Monday." - AP Worldstream January 17, 1994 [] "Once again, the majority of the 61 vessels arrested over the last 12 months were of Spanish or Spanish "flagship" origin. Figures released by the Defence Forces press office indicate that 26 vessels detained were registered in Spain, while another 23 were Spanish with British registration. Five Irish, four French and three British vessels were also arrested. Fifteen vessels were found to have hidden compartments for holding fish, which may have been under-sized or over the quota for that particular species. The Naval Service uncovered the first "secret holds" in a British registered Spanish vessel in September 1992." - The Irish Times January 3, 1994 [] "Illegal fishing cost the owners of an Anglo Spanish trawler a total of L102,000 today for breaking British and EC regulations. Coingate Ltd, of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, owners of the Slebech III, also had their licence revoked for two years by magistrates in Plymouth, Devon..." - Press Association Newsfile December 13, 1993 [] "...European Parliament during the October 4/5 Parliamentary Sub-committee on Fisheries. After a request from Paul Howell (EPP, UK), the Committee took the unusual step of viewing a video tape of Central TV's (ITV-UK) "Cook Report", an investigation of illegal fishing by Spanish boats in Irish and British waters. In an interview shown during the documentary, Henry Bell McCubbin (Socialist, UK) spoke of "systematic fraud" by Spanish boats.... ... The video showed evidence of illegal landings at a Basque port, often amounting to 50% of the total catch. Many of the landings, some of which were by UK-flagged vessels, included undersize fish. Such activities were reported to be rarely hindered by the Basque or Spanish authorities. The film also showed the seizure of a Spanish vessel in Irish waters by an Irish navy fisheries protection vessel and disclosed a "secret hold" in the vessel, where illegal fish were stored...." - Agri Service International October 22, 1993 - [also reported by Agence Europe October 7, 1993] [] "The skipper and owner of an Anglo- Spanish trawler are due to appear before magistrates today charged with a number of fishing offences. The charges were brought by the Ministry of Agriculture after the Slebech 111, registered in Wales but operating from Spain, was boarded 120 miles off the Scilly Isles by a team from the Royal Navy fisheries protection vessel HMS Anglesey and escorted into Plymouth a week ago." - Press Association Newsfile August 31, 1993 [] "SCOTTISH fishermen last night welcomed plans by the Government to crack down on Spanish "pirates" who have been smuggling fish caught in British waters hidden in the holds of their trawlers. Secret compartments have been used by Spanish fishermen to avoid detection in what fishermen fear has been a highly profitable smuggling operation." - The Scotsman August 12, 1993 [] "The skipper of a Spanish trawler was today ordered to pay a total of L1,750 in fines and costs after breaking EC fishing regulations. Juan Martinez, from San Sebastian, Spain, pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court, Devon, to three charges of retaining on board his boat fish, including cod and haddock, for which Spain has no EC quota." - Press Association Newsfile [UK] July 23, 1993 [] "Government officials are today considering whether the crew of a Spanish fishing boat, detained on Wednesday by a Royal Navy vessel, are to face illegal fishing charges. Evidence about the activities of the Capredi Dos is still being compiled, said a Ministry of Agriculture spokesman." - Press Association Newsfile July 22, 1993 [] " Reporter Roger Cook was attacked yesterday by a mob of 250 Spanish fishermen and dock workers, while working on a story about the illegal catching of immature fish in British waters by Spanish fishermen for Central Television's 'The Cook Report'." - Western Morning News July 14, 1993 [] "HEADLINE: Illegal fishing hauls kept in secret holds EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BYLINE: By Sonia Purnell in Brussels SPANISH fishermen are building concealed holds in their vessels to hide massive illegal catches of fish taken from British and Irish waters, while their British counterparts are forced to stay in port to protect stocks. Euro-MPs are demanding an immediate inquiry into reports that the taxpayer is being tricked into paying for the construction of the holds, which can contain illicit catches worth up to L50,000 a time. Spanish fishermen have received L25 million in grants from an EC scheme for modernisation of vessels. Some of the money is said to have been spent on adapting boats to fool fisheries inspectors. More than seven Spanish skippers whose vessels had concealed holds have been caught and fined in Ireland over the past few months. More than 15 others have been arrested, but inspectors say that they find only a tiny percentage of the holds. At one time recently, one in every three boats inspected contained a hidden compartment. Offending fishermen band together to pay fines incurred by the few who are caught. Although Irish fines are stiffer than those imposed in Britain, even at L100,000 they are insignificant against the vast profits to be made. The holds range from conversions of fuel bunkers to crude chambers carved out of ice stored in holds. Even shower rooms and crew bunks have been converted. Britain and Ireland have protested both to Spain and the European Commission with, as yet, little result. One problem has been that many vessels operate under the British flag although the owners and crew are Spanish and all the fish is exported to Spain. Spanish fishermen, reaping millions from breaking EC rules designed to prevent overfishing, are buying dozens of boats registered in Scotland, which has been hard hit by strict implementation of fishing restrictions." - The Daily Telegraph July 10, 1993 [] "Ireland is cracking down on a fraud by Spanish trawlers that have secret refrigerated compartments to hide illegal fish catches and has arrested 12 vessels in the past year. The first case to come to court last month ended with a fine of IR#10,000 ($ 15,000) and confiscation of catch and gear. The secret holds are used to conceal catches taken over and above European Community quotas or for illegal hauls of undersized hake, monkfish or prawns. Press reports estimate that a trawler can make up to IR#500,000 a year from the trade." - Lloyds List June 14, 1993 [] "...the Naval Service detained a total of 79 vessels during the, year for alleged illegal fishing, six fewer than in 1991, according to statistics issued by the Defence Forces. Most of the detained vessels were Spanish...." - The Irish Times January 01, 1993 [] " THE Naval Service yesterday detained a Spanish fishing vessel for alleged illegal entry and on suspicion of illegal fishing. The detention was made by the LE Eithne, off Mizen Head, Co Cork. It escorted the vessel, Orca, to Castletownbere." - The Irish Times July 6, 1992 [] "EC: SPANISH VESSELS ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL FISHING IN NAMIBIAN WATERS BRUSSELS - The EP Fisheries sub-committee has strongly condemned illegal fishing by Spanish vessels in Namibian waters. Further to a complaint lodged by the Namibian Ministry for Fisheries, rapporteur Mr. Gerd Luttge (SOC, D) recalled that illegal fishing is criminal behaviour. These fisheries not only do damage to Spain's reputation, but also to that of the EC as a whole, he said." - Agence Europe June 27, 1992 [] " THE Spanish skipper of a Belize-registered trawler was fined L5000 at Stornoway Sheriff Court yesterday for having illegally entered British territorial waters." - The Herald (Glasgow) June 19, 1992 [] "A SPANISH skipper was fined L90,000 at Stornoway Sheriff Court yesterday when he admitted illegal fishing. Jose Lemos, 30, of Ponteverda, Spain, master of the Spanish trawler Cantero Cuadrado, admitted fishing without authority in British territorial waters." - The Herald (Glasgow) April 22, 1992 [] "A SPANISH fishing boat has been arrested by authorities off South-west Scotland. The vessel has been impounded by Customs and Excise officials and is now anchored in Loch Ryan, near Stranraer." - The Herald (Glasgow) April 13, 1992 [] "Certain Spanish trawlers have resumed their illegal activity in Namibia's exclusive exploitation zone. British deputy, Robert Hughes, as well as Inge Van Den Bussche, assistant to MEP Janey Buchan, have made a joint statement in which they call, on one hand, upon the European Commission to react to these violations of Namibian sovereignty and, on the other hand, upon Spanish authorities to make known the measures taken to cease pillaging of fishing resources in this country." - Agence Europe August 3, 1991 [] " The captains of three further Spanish vessels caught fishing illegally within Namibia's 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will go on trial in August. The three Spanish stern trawlers were arrested by South African naval patrol ships at the end of March." - African Economic Digest July 1, 1991 [] "...Shortly before, a Spanish trawler, the "Captain Jorge II," was arrested in East London harbor with gill nets on board. The trawler has since been arrested again, this time in the Transkei, and was sentenced to either paying a 7,000 rands ($2,800) fine or four years in jail for illegal fishing off the Transkei coast." [Transkei off African coast, near S. Africa] - Inter Press Service June 27, 1991 [] "The Naval Service made 69 fishery arrests this year, although crew shortages forced it to tie up vessels for much of the period. Fifty- seven of the 69 craft apprehended were Spanish-registered, Spanish "flag" ships or unregistered Spanish vessels." - Irish Times December 29, 1990 [] "FISHING INDUSTRY LEADERS IN FRANCE'S MAIN FISHING REGION OF BRITTANY ACCUSED SPANISH FISHERMAN TODAY OF EXCEEDING EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF BOATS AND THE SIZE OF THEIR CATCHES." - Reuters North European Service JANUARY 10, 1987 [] " A SPANISH TRAWLER WAS ESCORTED INTO PORT BY AN IRISH NAVAL PATROL TODAY AND CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL FISHING FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN IRISH WATERS, THE IRISH DEFENCE FORCES SAID. THE TRAWLER MORRINA, REGISTERED IN VIGO, WAS ARRESTED 110 MILES OFF SOUTHWEST IRELAND YESTERDAY AND ACCUSED OF HAVING UNDERSIZED FISH ON BOARD." - Reuters North European Service October 31, 1986 [] " MORE THAN 100 SPANISH TRAWLERS WERE INTERCEPTED BY FRENCH NAVAL VESSELS TODAY WHEN THEY ENTERED FRANCE'S TERRITORIAL WATERS, THE MARITIME RADIO STATION ONDA PESQUERA SAID IN THIS NORTHERN COASTAL CITY." - Reuters North European Service July 2, 1986 [] "THE CAPTAINS OF TWO SPANISH TRAWLERS ARRESTED BY THE PORTUGUESE NAVY ON TUESDAY HAVE BEEN FINED 1.2 MILLION ESCUDOS (7,950 DOLLARS) EACH FOR ILLEGAL FISHING, COURT OFFICIALS SAID TODAY." - Reuters North European Service June 19, 1986 [] "Two fishermen were wounded when a Portuguese navy vessel fired warning shots to arrest two Spanish trawlers for allegedly fishing illegally in Portuguese waters, a navy spokesman said." - Financial Times June 18, 1986 [] " CANADIAN MOUNTIES HAVE ARRESTED TWO SPANISH TRAWLERS WHICH TRIED TO FLEE CAPTURE WITH FOUR CANADIAN OFFICIALS ABOARD, FISHERIES MINISTER TOM SIDDON SAID. HE TOLD REPORTERS LAST NIGHT MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED CANADIAN POLICE ON BOARD A PATROL SHIP HAD ARRESTED THE TRAWLERS AMELIA MEIRAMA AND JULIO MOLINA AND TAKEN OFF THE FISHERIES OFFICIALS." - Reuters North European Service MAY 25, 1986 [] "FRENCH FISHING TRAWLERS TODAY ANCHORED OFFSHORE FROM A MILITARY BASE TO PROTEST AGAINST ILLEGAL SPANISH FISHING IN FRENCH WATERS, A FISHERMAN'S UNION SPOKESMAN SAID." - Reuters North European Service March 7, 1985 [] " France is ready to step up naval action against illegal fishing by Spanish trawlers in French waters after recording 1,195 violations by Spanish vessels last year, the External Relations Ministry said today." - The New York Times December 17, 1984 [] " A SPANISH TRAWLER WAS SEIZED BY AN IRISH PATROL BOAT TODAY FOR FISHING ILLEGALLY IN IRISH WATERS ONLY 10 DAYS AFTER ANOTHER SPANISH VESSEL SANK AFTER BEING SHOT AT BY THE IRISH NAVY." - Reuters North European Service October 31, 1984 [] "THE CREW OF A SPANISH TRAWLER TODAY ACCUSED A SPANISH NAVY GUNBOAT OF FIRING ON THEM WITHOUT WARNING, COURT OFFICIALS SAID. BUT THE GUNBOAT CAPTAIN SAID HE OPENED FIRE BECAUSE THE TRAWLER, CAUGHT FISHING ILLEGALLY LAST SUNDAY, IGNORED AN ORDER TO HEAVE-TO, THEY SAID." - Reuters North European Service October 30, 1984 [] "THE SPANISH TRAWLER, SONIA, SANK OFF THE CORNISH COAST YESTERDAY AFTER NEARLY 600 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION HAD BEEN FIRED AT IT BY AN IRISH NAVY GUNBOAT" - Observer October 21, 1984 [] " MOROCCAN PATROL VESSELS HAVE SEIZED EIGHT SPANISH TRAWLERS SINCE A SPANISH TRAWLER CAPTAIN REFUSED TO SAIL TO MOROCCO TO FACE ILLEGAL FISHING CHARGES, A RADIO WHICH BROADCASTS TO SPANISH FISHERMEN SAID TODAY." - Reuters North European Service September 10, 1984 [] " TWO MOROCCAN SOLDIERS WHO TRIED TO ARREST A SPANISH FISHING BOAT FELL ASLEEP AND WOKE UP TO FIND THEMSELVES IN THE SPANISH CANARY ISLANDS, A NAVY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY. THE SKIPPER OF THE SANTA TERESA DE JESUS, STOPPED BY A PATROL BOAT IN MOROCCAN WATERS, TOLD NAVY AUTHORITIES HE WAS ORDERED TO HEAD FOR THE PORT OF AGADIR. BUT HE SET COURSE FOR LANZAROTE INSTEAD WITHOUT TELLING THE SOLDIERS BECAUSE THEY WERE ASLEEP." - Reuters North European Service September 4, 1984 [] "THE NIGERIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE DETAINED A SPANISH TRAWLER AND ITS 17 CREW FOR ILLEGAL FISHING IN TERRITORIAL WATERS, NEWSPAPERS SAID TODAY." - Reuters North European Service August 24, 1984 [] " A FRENCH COURT TODAY FINED THE SKIPPER OF A SPANISH TRAWLER FOR FISHING WITHOUT A LICENCE IN FRENCH WATERS." - Reuters North European Service August 1, 1984 [] " NORWAY IS TO PROTEST TO SPAIN OVER ILLEGAL FISHING BY SIX SPANISH TRAWLERS IN A FISH CONSERVATION ZONE NEAR BEAR ISLAND IN THE BARENTS SEA, A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY." - Reuters North European Service July 12, 1984 [] " A FRENCH NAVAL PATROL VESSEL FIRED BLANK SHOTS AND THREATENED TO OPEN FIRE BEFORE IT ARRESTED A SPANISH TRAWLER ON SUSPICION OF ILLEGAL FISHING IN FRENCH WATERS IN THE BAY OF BISCAY, OFFICIALS SAID TODAY." - Reuters North European Service May 22, 1984 [] "SIX MORE LORRIES, THREE FRENCH AND THREE NORWEGIAN, WERE BURNED OVERNIGHT BY SPANISH FISHERMEN ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK THE FRENCH BORDER IN PROTEST AT LAST WEEK'S FRENCH NAVY ACTION AGAINST TWO SPANISH TRAWLERS, POLICE SAID. THE BASQUE FISHERMEN, WHO HAVE BURNED 17 LORRIES SINCE THEY STARTED PICKETING THE IRUN FRONTIER OVER THE WEEKEND, HAVE EXTENDED THEIR BLOCKADE EASTWARDS TO THE NAVARRE AND CATALAN PASSES AND WARNED THAT LORRIES FROM EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES WOULD NOT BE SAFE ANYWHERE IN SPANISH TERRITORY." - Reuters North European Service March 14, 1984 [] "MOROCCAN NAVY PATROL BOATS HAVE SEIZED FIVE SPANISH FISHING VESSELS DURING NEGOTIATIONS OVER A NEW FISHING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, FOREIGN MINISTRY SOURCES SAID TODAY." - Reuters North European Service August 13, 1983 [] "After nearly 30 days of being held in Mauritania, the Spanish fishing- boats Alvarez Entrena XIV and Ugana [names phonetic] have been released, following numerous complaints by the Agricultural and Fisheries Councillor of the Andalusian General Council and the Director-General of Fisheries. " - BBC Summary of World Broadcasts January 27, 1979 =end= FISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISHFISH GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE--TURBOT TUESDAY 14 MARCH 1995 EUROPEANS TO BLAME FOR CLEARCUTTING OF TURBOT STOCKS Both sides must get tough on fisheries decisions at UN OTTAWA & BRUSSELS, Tuesday, 14 March 1995--The European Union's continued plundering of North West Atlantic turbot stocks is a classic example of its leading role in global overfishing and fish stock collapse, Greenpeace in Brussels and Ottawa said today. Both Canada and the EU must get serious on fisheries reform at the upcoming United Nations fisheries conference* if these wars at sea are to end, Greenpeace stressed. "The turbot wars are not an isolated event", said Isabel McCrea, Greenpeace International's Biodiversity Campaign Coordinator speaking at a press conference on Ottawa today. "Fish wars are becoming the norm in fisheries right around the world -- crisis management in the place of effective, legally binding fisheries management," McCrea said. Restating its demand for an immediate moratorium on the turbot fishery, Greenpeace labelled the Spanish fleet, with over 20,000 vessels roaming the oceans, as one of the world's most predatory. "Between 1986 and 1991, the EU reported total catches that were 478,000 tonnes in excess of the quotas they had been given by NAFO*," said Catherine Stewart, Greenpeace Canada Fisheries Campaigner. With the world's fourth largest fishing catch and the biggest market for fish, the EU is a driving force behind the global fisheries crisis. Greenpeace, which has played an active role in the United Nations fisheries conference since its inception, said Spain is the main source of pressure behind the European Union's side-stepping of the tough issues throughout the UN process. Greenpeace believes both Canada and the European Union are blocking progress in the UN negotiation process and are backing away from a strong treaty that will ensure conservation of fish stocks. "The EU has refused to support a legally binding treaty," said Stewart. "Meanwhile, Canada is dragging its heels on the issue of consistency of regulations". Canadian Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin is all in favour of tough conservation standards for the high seas fleets, but is insisting that Canada and other coastal states should be allowed to define their own standards within territorial waters, Stewart said. "European and Canadian Government mis-management have combined to bring turbot stocks to the brink of disaster. Perhaps this latest crisis will force a long overdue and fundamental change in our approach to fishing," said Isabel McCrea. EDITOR'S NOTE ============= 1 * The United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks resumes in New York on March 27, 1995. This session of the conference may be the last real chance to make the conference a success. 2 * The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization is the regional fisheries management body. 3 Turbot is also known as Greenland halibut.