The EU and the United States, two major NAFO convention partners, are about to engage in a legal certification process for fish harvesting practices. In order for Canada to potentially sell fish into the EU or the U.S., we will have to be certified under their standards. If such legislation were ever to occur, could that be justification, potentially, for the EU to demand entry into Canadian waters to investigate our practices so they can determine whether they meet certification standards? In other words, could changes to the NAFO convention allow the EU, in their certification requirements of Canadian seafood practices, to say, “Allow us into Canadian waters or we won't certify you”?
On March 5th, 2009. See this statement in context.