But industrial countries have been much more successful in doing this than developing countries. By contrast, long-range fishing fleets from industrialized countries still catch about 5 million tons annually in developing regions. Lack of local capital, and lack of expertise in things like processing and marketing, has had a debilitating effect on the capacity of developing countries to take advantage of their own resources. Even in Canada, however, the crisis in the fisheries is clear. Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence cod has fallen drastically in numbers, haddock stocks are at dangerously low levels, and catches of snow crab in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have declined by more than 50 per cent.
Consumers see the crisis reflected in availability and prices.
In Canada, the government has responded in several ways. New conservation measures are being developed regarding minimum fish size, mesh size and gear type. Higher penalties are being proposed for those caught fishing illegally, and monitoring, surveillance and patrol activities are to be improved or increased. Canada is also conducting a diplomatic and public information campaign in Europe to influence those nations that persist in overfishing the stocks in international waters which straddle Canada's 200-mile zone. It is hoped that an international regime can be put in place so that stocks will be given the chance to rebuild.