The P.E.I. Fishermen's Association is pleased the U.S. president has thrown his support behind a ban on bottom trawling on the high seas.

The United Nations has entered into a round of talks looking at ending the practice in international waters. U.S. President George W. Bush said in a memo Tuesday that his country would work towards ending bottom trawling, which is considered to be destructive of marine habitat.

Ed Frenette said a ban on offshore trawling would be a positive step.
(CBC)

Ed Frenette, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association, told CBC News Wednesday that Island fishermen support a ban, and they're looking for Canada's fisheries minister to follow the lead of the United States.

"In the long run, any banning of offshore bottom dragging is a positive step," said Frenette.

"The resource is in flux as we all know. Global weather patterns are changing and certainly any destruction to the ecology is harmful to the commercial fishery. We would certainly endorse a banning of offshore trawling and dragging."

Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn says he's still considering Canada's stance on banning bottom trawling.