For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 9, 2003
Message to the Senate of the United States
With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
ratification, I transmit herewith the Agreement Amending the Treaty
Between the Government of the United States of America and the
Government of Canada on Pacific Coast Albacore Tuna Vessels and Port
Privileges done at Washington May 26, 1981 (the "Treaty"), effected by
an exchange of diplomatic notes at Washington on July 17, 2002, and
August 13, 2002 (the "Agreement"). I am also enclosing, for the
information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary of State on the
Agreement and a related agreement, effected by an exchange of notes at
Washington on August 21, 2002, and September 10, 2002, amending the
Annexes to the Treaty; this related agreement was concluded pursuant to
Article VII of the Treaty.
The Treaty currently permits unlimited fishing for albacore tuna by
vessels of each Party in waters under the jurisdiction of the other
Party. The Agreement amends the Treaty to allow for a limitation on
such fishing necessitated by changing circumstances.
The U.S. fishing and processing industries strongly support the
amendment to the Treaty. The amendment not only allows the Parties to
redress the imbalance of benefits received by U.S. fishers that has
developed in the operation of the Treaty, but also preserves U.S.
interests under the Treaty, including the interest of U.S. fishers to
fish in Canadian waters at times when the albacore stock moves
northward, the interest of U.S. processors to continue to receive
Canadian catches for processing, and the U.S. interest in being able to
conserve and manage the stock.
The recommended legislation necessary to implement the Agreement
will be submitted separately to the Congress.
I recommend that the Senate give favorable consideration to this
Agreement and give its advice and consent to ratification at an early
date.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 9, 2003.
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