1. A method for performing fencing in a clustered storage environment, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of nodes configured in a cluster for sharing data, each node being a cluster member; providing a storage system that supports a plurality of data containers, said storage system supporting a protocol that configures export lists that assign each cluster member certain access permission rights including read-write access permission or read only access permission as to each respective data container associated with the storage system; coupling the cluster to the storage system by a network; and providing a fencing program in each cluster member such that when a change in cluster membership is detected, a surviving member transmits an application program interface message to said storage system commanding said storage system to modify one or more of said export lists such that the access permission rights of one or more identified cluster members are modified.