One of the main reasons for discussing the modernization of the convention was to try to figure out what might happen in the future. The current convention has been in force for some thirty years. We have to keep that in mind when considering any amendments to the convention; it may be in force another thirty years or so, maybe more, maybe less. We have to look further ahead and anticipate what might happen. Since we no longer look at things on a stock-by-stock basis nowadays, but rather in terms of the ecosystem as a whole and the interactions between the various stocks, we need to remember that, in the long term, we may want NAFO measures to be equally applicable in the area of one coastal state as in the NAFO area.
On October 6th, 2009. See this statement in context.