July 17, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), is heartened to learn that the five Arctic coastal states (Canada, Russia, United States, Denmark and Norway) have agreed to sign a moratorium on commercial fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAO). This agreement was crafted one year ago in Nuuk, Greenland, but never signed. Okalik Eegeesiak, ICC Chair stated, “ICC supports such a precautionary approach and we encourage other nations to follow this lead and sign the agreement”. ICC has been represented in the discussions between the coastal states and provided an Inuit perspective in this process.
The agreement calls for a moratorium on commercial fishing in international waters that lie beyond the five Arctic coastal states 200-mile (320-kilometre) exclusive economic zones pending further research on fish stocks and the development of a sustainable management regime that includes Inuit traditional knowledge, “the reduction in multi year ice and longer ice free time in high Arctic waters as a result of climate change have mad e this region more accessible to foreign ships and potential environmental damage. We are not saying we oppose commercial fishing but rather we must take a precautionary approach, listen to the Inuit and do the appropriate studies”, stated Jimmy Stotts, President, ICC (Alaska).
The agreement will block ships from the five coastal states from dropping their nets in the CAO until the completion of a full scientific assessment of the fish stocks and how they can be sustainably harvested. “Healthy and abundant fish stocks are essential to the cultural, nutritional and economic well-being and way of life of the Inuit villages and peoples who live along river drainages and coasts . Inuit welcome this announcement and have a great deal of traditional knowledge about these stocks to share”, stated Duane Smith, President of ICC (Canada). While the Arctic countries cannot stop boats from China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union from entering the region the hope is that thisagreement can set an example. “Although this is a good start we need a binding international agreement”, said Smith.
At the ICC General Assembly in Inuvik, Northwest Territories one year ago Inuit from all four countries (Canada, Greenland, Chukotka and Alaska) in the Kitigaaryuit Declaration called for a moratorium on commercial fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean and directed “.. ICC leadership to advocate for a precautionary approach in developing commercial fishing in the international waters of the central Arctic Ocean and support a moratorium until fish stocks have been adequately assessed and a sustainable management regime is in place that fully engages and involves Inuit”.
For more information:
Natasha Latreille
ICC CanadaNLatreille@inuitcircumpolar.com613-563-2642