THE MINISTERS OF FISHERIES FOR CANADA, THE FAROE ISLANDS, ICELAND, NORWAY, RUSSIA, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF GREENLAND

Having reviewed the state of the fisheries resources in the North Atlantic,

Discussed the issue of the increasing seal populations in certain areas of the North Atlantic,

Noted that conservation, based on an ecosystem approach, is of fundamental importance to maintain biological diversity and productivity in the marine environment,

And taking into account the interests of aboriginal peoples, recognized that:

• the abundance of seals in the Northwest Atlantic continues to be a conservation problem,

• seals may be harvested like any other marine resource,

• there is a need, in a number of areas of the North Atlantic, to reduce the sizes of the seal herds, in a sustainable and humane manner, through expanded commercial harvests where possible.

The Ministers noted that the human population of the world is increasing, and that, in the absence of management of significant marine species, including seals, there will be insufficient food for the world's human population, and severe feeding problems for the marine species themselves. The Ministers agreed on the need for a joint public information campaign to make this situation widely understood.