DFO will close Newfoundland Ports to Greenland and Faroese Shrimpers

Canadian Government authorities is threatening to close Newfoundland ports to Faroese and Greenlandic shrimp vesssels for overfishing in NAFO Division 3L on the Grand Banks.  
Fisheries Minister Gail Shea has warned her counterparts in the Faroe Islands and Greenland that Canada will begin denying port access licences to fishing vessels flagged to the Faroe Islands and Greenland as of February 15, 2010 unless the objection to their NAFO quota of 3L shrimp is withdrawn and they comply with the NAFO quota of 334t.

"Canada has been working in good faith to resolve issues in NAFO regarding the allocation of 3L shrimp for the Faroese and Greenlandic fleets, but their continued overfishing is unacceptable," said Minister Shea. "Several NAFO parties share Canada's concerns and agree that any quota adjustments must not be excessive and should be consistent with scientific advice."

The position held by Denmark in respect of Faroe Islands and Greenland (DFG) is far from that held by the rest of the NAFO Contracting Parties, including Canada. DFG has unilaterally set a quota of 3,101 tonnes, almost ten times greater than their NAFO quota. This sets a dangerous precedent that could impact conservation of the species.

Canada originally closed its ports to fishing vessels from the Faroe Islands and Greenland in December 2004, but reopened them in March 2008. This was done as a sign of good faith ahead of talks between NAFO countries aimed at breaking the impasse on 3L shrimp quotas.