RECOGNIZING the need to build a Green Party policy on the Atlantic Fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador, 

ANXIOUS to uphold the Principles and Tenets of the Green Party, 

DETERMINED to create a sustainable Fish Industry in Atlantic Canada and 

IN ACCORDANCE with the Green Party values of "RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY", "COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMICS" and "FUTURE FOCUS/SUSTAIN ABILITY", the Terra Nova Greens are resolved to create a policy on Atlantic Affairs that will nurture a safe and sustainable Fishing & Aquaculture industry. 
 

It is the policy of the Terra Nova Greens that in order to protect the vulnerable groundfish of the Grand Banks & Flemish Cap Canada must  gain sovereignty over the whole area of the Grand Banks. The Terra Nova Green Party advocates an extension of Canadian sovereignty to 350 miles from Newfoundland & Labrador's coasts. 

Commercial fishing quotas should be drastically cut. Reducing the number of draggers scouring the ocean floor will help protect this crucial  habitat as well as significantly decreasing the amount of by catch and undersized species caught in commercial fishery. 

 The Terra Nova Greens recognizes the unsustainability of industrial draggers which rape the oceans. The Terra Nova Green Party believes that Aquaculture, unlike industrial draggers, if properly monitored and developed may be of long term sustainability. To this end, Newfoundland and Labrador communities and industries must cease the dispersal of waste  and raw sewage into the ocean so as to facilitate a healthy environment for future Fishery & Aquaculture development. 

 The Terra Nova Greens believe that Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the United Nations must research the impact of  Aquaculture on the marine environment of Atlantic Canada. 
 

 Individuals or communities would receive a set quota per season, per species. These quotas would be transferable such that they may be exchanged for quotas of other species.  Fishers then become active in the management of the resource, which gives them more responsibility and liability. Commercial fishing quotas should be transferred from corporations to individual fisherman or fishing communities. 

It is the policy of the Terra Nova Greens that individuals or communities would receive a set quota per season, per species. These quotas would be transferable such that they may be exchanged for quotas of other species. Fisherman then become active in the management of the resource, which gives them more responsibility and liability. 
 

  The establishment of marine protected areas in Canada is long overdue. In the coastal environment, they do not limit public access,  but implement strict controls over fishing and development in the area. Marine parks and reserves will protect the nursery grounds for
  many marine fish species, including cod and the barndoor skate. The Grand Banks, The Hamilton Bank and other fishing areas are  highly productive areas which play an important role in any marine ecosystem. Establishing several marine protected areas would help
  maintain biodiversity while guarding important fish habitat. 

A seal harvest should only be implemented when markets are available for the whole animal. A seal harvest should not be used in an attempt to enhance fisheries. 

Since capelin are the major food source of cod, seabirds and many whales, a moratorium needs to be called for capelin until the numbers rebound. 

Newfoundland and Labrador should adopt a policy which bans the importation of any waste materials from outside the province. 

Under no circumstances should an industry or individual be pardoned of any federal, provincial or municipal regulation or standard concerning environmental law.