REUTER - 14/3/95

By Peter Blackburn

TOULOUSE, France Spain said on Tuesday it would not force the European Union into rash retaliation against Canada for seizing one of its trawlers in a fishing war in the northwest Atlantic.

Spanish Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Luis Atienza, speaking at the end of a three day informal meeting of EU farm ministers, said Madrid sought a measured response.

"Spain won't force the EU to take take strong measures hastily," he told reporters. The EU must find a solution without escalating the crisis, he said, adding that Spain preferred not to take unilateral measures.

Atienza spoke as Spanish shipowners ordered 17 ships to resume fishing off the Canadian coast, despite the risk of further clashes with Canada. They had suspended operations following the seizure of the trawler Estai.

French Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Jean Puech, current president of the EU fisheries council, condemned Canada's seizure of the Estai more than 200 miles (320 km) off the coast of Newfoundland last Thursday.

"It's unacceptable...you cannot take justice into your own hands in international waters," Puech told a news conference.

"Canada must unconditionally release the illegally seized ship, captain and crew," Puech added.

But he gave no indication of what further action the EU might take if Canada failed to comply.

The EU has already cancelled a series of bilateral meetings, delayed a scientific cooperation agreement and effectively frozen relations with Canada.

Atienza said the EU was showing full solidarity with Spain and backing its insistence on the immediate release of the vessel.

"It's impossible to talk to Canada before the ship is freed," he said.

Canada recently passed a national law authorising the seizure of vessels exceeding catch quotas in international waters and endangering stocks of Greenland halibut, also known as turbot, which are mainly based within the Canadian zone.

Spanish catches of Greenland halibut rose sharply after Spanish vessels were forced to seek new fishing grounds following Namibian independence in 1990.

Atienza dismissed Canadian allegations that Spanish vessels were catching young fish and preventing depleted stocks from regenerating as "distortions."