May 06, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Paul Martin today issued the following statement concerning the boarding of two Portuguese vessels off the coast of Newfoundland:

“Foreign overfishing by rogue ships and their owners is unacceptable to Canadians, to this government and to me as Prime Minister. It must be stopped. It will be stopped. The recurring violation of international agreements by these vessels places at serious risk the conservation of fish stocks on which Canadians, and other fishing nations depend. For this reason, the federal government has replaced talk with action.

The boarding of two vessels off the coast of Newfoundland by Canadian Fisheries officers is evidence that recently reinforced efforts are real. They will continue. Working both at home and around the world, the federal government will go further. We will maintain our increased presence and patrols at sea. We will boost resources dedicated to combating foreign overfishing. And we will take all necessary legal steps required to protect Canada’s fish stocks.”