February 27, 2014 — Canada and four other Arctic nations have agreed to work toward a deal to block commercial fishing in the central Arctic Ocean until more is known about the potential of the resource.
The agreement with the United States, Russia, Denmark and Norway was reached late Wednesday in Nuuk, Greenland, after three days of talks.
"The participants recognized the need for interim precautionary measures to prevent any future commercial fisheries without the prior establishment of appropriate regulatory mechanisms," said a news release issued from Nuuk.
"The participants will work toward the establishment of such interim measures."
The five Arctic coastal nations each regulate fishing up to 200 nautical miles from their shores, but that leaves a large regulatory hole in the central Arctic Ocean.
No commercial fishery currently exists in that part of the ocean, which was until recently permanently covered by sea ice. Scientists say as much as 40 per cent is now clear at least part of the year, opening it up to commercial exploitation. Nearby waters hold fish species such as turbot and Arctic cod.
In 2012, more than 2,000 scientists from 67 countries called for a moratorium on commercial fishing in the Arctic until more research is completed. The scientists said the regulatory gap could make the region a target for large bottom trawlers, which would put stress on fish populations.