Samþykkt 9. ráðstefnu sjávarútvegsráðherra Norður - Atlantshafsins
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 9TH NORTH ATLANTIC FISHERIES MINISTERS CONFERENCE
The 9th Conference of Ministers of Fisheries from the North Atlantic States (NAFMC) was hosted by Mr. Árni M. Mathiesen, Minister of Fisheries in Iceland, on 3 - 5 June 2004.
The conference was attended by the fisheries ministers from Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the Russian Federation and Norway. The European Union was represented by the Member of the European Commission responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries.
At the 8th Conference the Ministers had agreed on an overarching theme for this conference to be ways and means to increase the value of fisheries products and the interaction between new and conventional products.
Ministers agreed that sustainable utilisation of the living marine resources is fundamental for the fisheries sector. Collapsing fish stocks require a proportionately severe regime to achieve sustainable fishing practices. Ministers further agreed that ocean governance needs to be more effective and that tools should be used more cohesively. They emphasised the role of multilateral co-operation in this context.
They also agreed that there is a great potential to increase the value of marine products by better and broader utilisation of the living marine resources. The Ministers underlined the importance of taking into account the challenges and new trends in the markets.
The Ministers discussed the role of the governments in providing the enabling conditions for the fisheries sector to increase the value of its products and further develop its potential. Ministers shared experiences and new ideas on ways to manage the fisheries, to improve the quality of the products and developing new opportunities through research and better information. They acknowledged the importance of involving the industry at all levels and taking into account the possibilities of the markets.
In particular the Ministers discussed consumer attitudes and fish market prospects, new market challenges, increased focus on safety and sustainability and the example of market condition for shrimp and shrimp products. Further the Ministers discussed integrated management and improved governance framework for increased value and providing conditions for developing new and improved products.
The Ministers agreed to co-operate in order to present fish and fish products as a healthy and safe choice, and thereby combating misleading information put forward in the international market. The Ministers emphasised the use of the internet as a possible source of information in this regard but recognised that other methods of getting information out need to be explored.
The Conference participants agreed that the 10th Conference of Ministers of Fisheries from the North Atlantic States will be held in the Faroe Islands in 2005 The 10th Conference will discuss new approaches in international ocean governance.