Ottawa, Ontario - Atlantic halibut is an important species that creates good jobs for hardworking Canadians in coastal communities. Canada and France have long worked together to reach agreement on quota sharing for Atlantic halibut, with a focus on ensuring the right balance is reached between economic interests and the long-term sustainability of the stock. In order to ensure productive negotiations continue, the Government of Canada has requested formal consultations under the Procès-Verbal, a treaty that has allowed Canada and France/St. Pierre and Miquelon to cooperate on the management of fish stocks that are present in our two domestic fishing waters. Given the impacts on conservation and management of this important fish stock, Canadian license holders or crew participating in assisting the French vessels currently fishing Atlantic halibut in the NAFO area may be subject to penalties up to and including the non-renewal of fishing authorization such as fisher registration cards and fishing licenses.
Canada remains committed to maintaining constructive dialogue with France, to reach an agreement.
