Coastal countries hold off on high Arctic fishing

The five Arctic Ocean coastal states—Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States—have agreed to a moratorium on commercial fishing in the high Arctic, until more scientific data has been gathered.

There are no management regulations in place for fishing in the central Arctic Ocean, and though it is unlikely that commercial fishing will occur there in the near future, the coastal states have agreed that rules should be in place before any fishery is established.

“We are very pleased that Canada and the four other Arctic Ocean coastal states were able to support a temporary prohibition of commercial fishing in the high seas of the central Arctic Ocean.  More scientific investigation is required to determine whether fishing in this area can be commercially viable,” read a joint statement from Canadian fisheries minister Gail Shea and environment minister Leona Aglukkaq.