discuss a recent dispute over Canadians fishing Bermuda waters.

This year, Bermuda licensed seven Canadian fishing boats to work within the Island's 200-mile limit.

But all the boats went home in March after Canadian fishing authorities arrested the Nova Scotia longliner Stephen B in international waters near Bermuda.

Her captain and owners are to stand trial in Halifax this year.

Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons said three Bermuda Government officials met in New York with their Canadian counterparts to try to "clarify'' that Government's concerns about the fishing of swordfish and blue-finned tuna.

Bermuda wanted to "determine the terms and conditions under which we could continue a relationship'' with Canadian fishermen, Sen. Simons said. Bermuda licensed a handful of foreign fishermen each year in order to protect the Island's exclusive fishing zone, he added.

Environment Permanent Secretary Dr. James Burnett-Herkes, Fisheries Director Mr. John Barnes, and Mr. Philip Holder of the Attorney General's Chambers were to return to Bermuda today.

According to Government estimates, some $200,000 was lost to the local economy when the Canadian vessels left Bermuda.

Meanwhile, Canada is being challenged on the legitimacy of its recent measures to control "pirate'' fishermen.

Although the seven-month-old government of Prime Minister Jean Chretien assured the Canadian Parliament the tough new legislation broke no international statutes, France claimed on Tuesday the law "violates the United Nations convention on the law of the sea'' and that it would be protesting its passage both bilaterally and within the European Union.

Yesterday, a European Commission spokesman was quoted as saying the Commission has written to the Canadian government to persuade it to suspend the law and seek an international solution.

If Canada's recent stance on protecting endangered cod stocks off its eastern coast is any indication, however, the Canadian government shows no sign of backing down.

"It is long overdue for these pirate vessels to leave,'' Canadian Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin has said.