But Government has refused.

Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons said he sympathised with Canadian concerns, but was worried Government could be liable if it altered commercial fishing licences the Canadians had paid for.

While Taiwanese fishing vessels have been licensed to fish within Bermuda's 200-mile protected area in the past, this year seven Canadian fishing boats were licensed for the first time.

Because Canada is a member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), any fish the Nova Scotia longliners catch off Bermuda are subtracted from the fishing quota for Canadian fishing boats in Canadian waters.

In a news release, Canadian Fisheries Minister Mr. Brian Tobin called on Government to control the fishing.

"Although the Bermudian Government licensed these vessels to fish for tuna and swordfish in its waters in 1994, I will not condone fishing activities by Canadians fishing in our waters or abroad, that may jeopardise the existing management regime,'' Mr. Tobin said.

The Canadian longliners were told the fish they caught in Bermuda would reduce the Canadian quota and that their future licences to fish in Canadian waters could be denied, Mr. Tobin said.

A senior Canadian fishery officer was to arrive in Bermuda yesterday to monitor the situation.

Mr. Simons said Bermuda was cooperating with the Canadians and was happy to provide information about the longliners' catches.

However, "from our point of view, the responsibility for regulating Canadian fishermen lies with the Canadian Government,'' Mr. Simons said. As part of the terms of their one-year licences, the Canadians were required to take two Bermudians on each ship, he said. About six or seven Bermudians have taken advantage of the opportunity, he said.

Bermuda has observer status at ICCAT but is not a member.

Bermuda might be willing to alter the licences if the Canadian Government would protect it against any claims for damages, he said.

At least one of the Canadian vessels has already left Bermuda, and it is believed at least one other will soon.