Arctic Science Journeys
Radio Script
1997

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Canada Holds Ocean Summit
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STORY: Five hundred years ago, English explorer John Cabot brought back to Europe news of huge cod and other fish stocks in waters off what is now Newfoundland, Canada. Today, those cod stocks are all but fished out--the latest in a long string of collapsed fisheries around the world.

So important are the ocean's fish to world commerce and culture--and so threatened are their health--that the United Nations has designated 1998 as the "Year of the Ocean." To kick off the international event, the Canadian government recently held the first ever "Summit of the Sea." Five hundred delegates from 41 countries met in St. John's, Newfoundland, to discuss world fisheries, pollution, coastal development and other topics. According to organizer Dave Finn, the crash in the early 1990s of the world's largest cod fishery off Canada was on nearly everyone's mind.

FINN: "What happened to the fishery off Newfoundland and off the east coast of Canada is an incredibly touchy subject. In most people's view there's lots of blame to go around. Some people certainly seem quite happy to latch onto the government as a scapegoat, or to the foreigners as a scapegoat, or to the trawl technology as a scapegoat. But I think what we want to avoid is a finger-pointing session here at all costs."

But some blame is being cast, particularly toward fishermen. Two years ago, the Canadian Navy fired on and then seized a Spanish trawler for fishing cod in international waters near its coast. Though a violation of international law, Canada felt justified in using military force to protect dwindling fish stocks. And earlier this year, Canadian fishermen blockaded an Alaska ferry to protest what they say are too many Canadian salmon being caught by Alaska fishermen. Geoff Holland is a U.N. representative who says the world's fishing industry must be reigned in.

HOLLAND: "There are signs that we've run into the wall on the fishing question. Stocks are diminishing. The over-fishing question, the over-capacity of fishing technology to take every living thing out of the sea, is a reality and we've got to do something to address it."

Organizers hope the conference will move governments to take action on issues such as an international treaty to conserve migratory fish. Delegates also announced what they call the "Ocean Charter." It's a non-binding promise to protect the marine environment. Geoff Holland expects more than 100 nations to sign during the "Year of the Ocean."

OUTRO: For Arctic Science Journeys, this is Robert Hannon reporting from Fairbanks, Alaska.