Release Turbot Stocks Threatened by Planned Fisheries and Oceans Canada Policy

MATANE, QC, /CNW Telbec/ - Fisheries and Oceans Canada could

shortly announce a new fishing policy that would once again allow trawling for

turbot. This eventuality has alarmed turbot fishermen who fear that trawling

would endanger both turbot and Atlantic halibut stocks.

Recent positions taken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada employees seem to

indicate a will to recertify the turbot trawler flotilla. In a conference

phone call involving "Office des Pêcheurs de Flétan du Groenland du Québec"

(O.P.F.G.Q) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada representatives, the latter

clearly indicated their intention to re-allow trawling for ground fish.

This, despite the stated position of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Minister, Mr. Loyola Hearn, who, in a Globe and Mail interview of May 31st,

2006, stated that "It (bottom trawling) does damage to the stocks and it does

damage to the habitat."

Scientists have condemned trawling since it causes irreparable damage to

marine biodiversity. Moreover, following UN recommendations, several nations

have prohibited this fishing method.

The O.P.F.G.Q., in accordance with many environment protection groups

such as Greenpeace, firmly believes that, if ground trawlers take once more to

the sea, turbot and Atlantic halibut will disappear, just as cod stocks did,

in the early 90's. Trawling was so harmful to cod stocks that they have since

failed to renew, despite the moratorium imposed on cod fishing by the Canadian

Government after the near-disappearance of that fish.

The O.P.F.G.Q. asks that the federal government ban once and for all the

use of ground fish trawlers in the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence, to ensure the

conservation of our precious resources.

For further information: André Boucher, secrétaire de l'O.P.F.G.Q.,

boucherand@cgocable.ca