[Senate Treaty Document 113-2]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


113th Congress
1st Session                     SENATE                     Treaty Doc.
113-2
_______________________________________________________________________


 
 CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGH SEAS FISHERIES 
                  RESOURCES IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGH SEAS FISHERIES 
  RESOURCES IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN, DONE AT TOKYO ON FEBRUARY 24, 
          2012, AND SIGNED BY THE UNITED STATES ON MAY 2, 2012




April 22, 2013.--Treaty was read the first time, and together with the 
accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
            ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate


                         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                   The White House, April 22, 2013.
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 Convention on 
the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries 
Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, done at Tokyo on February 
24, 2012, and signed by the United States on May 2, 2012 (the 
``Convention''). I also transmit, for the information of the 
Senate, the report of the Secretary of State on the Convention 
that includes an article-by-article analysis.
    The Convention establishes a regional fisheries management 
organization through which Parties will cooperate to ensure the 
long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fisheries 
resources in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean while 
protecting the marine ecosystems in which these resources 
occur.
    The Convention will require implementing legislation, which 
is being drafted and will be submitted separately to the 
Congress for its consideration.
    Cooperation under the Convention will address fisheries 
resources not covered under preexisting international fisheries 
management instruments and will help to prevent destructive 
fishing practices on the high seas that may have impacts on 
fisheries resources in areas subject to U.S. jurisdiction. 
Ratification by the United States would also ensure that future 
U.S. fisheries interests in the region subject to the 
Convention will be factored into allocation decisions. I 
therefore recommend that the Senate give favorable 
consideration to the Convention and give its advice and consent 
to ratification at the earliest possible date.

                                                      Barack Obama.
                          LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                       Department of State,
                                      Washington, October 15, 2012.
The President,
The White House.
    Mr. President: I have the honor to submit to you, with a 
view to its transmittal to the Senate for advice and consent to 
ratification, the Convention on the Conservation and Management 
of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, 
concluded in Tokyo on February 24, 2012 (the ``Convention''). 
The Convention was signed by the United States on May 2, 2012. 
Also enclosed is an Overview of the Convention, which includes 
a detailed article-by-article analysis.
    The Convention establishes a Regional Fisheries Management 
Organization (RFMO) through which Parties will cooperate to 
ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of 
fisheries resources in the Convention Area of the North Pacific 
Ocean. Cooperation under the Convention will address fisheries 
resources not covered under pre-existing international 
fisheries management instruments and will help to prevent 
destructive fishing practices on the high seas that may have 
impacts on fisheries resources in areas subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction. U.S. ratification would also ensure that future 
U.S. fisheries interests in the region subject to the 
Convention will be factored into allocation decisions.
    The Department of State led the U.S. delegation to the 
Convention negotiations and coordinated with the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Coast 
Guard. A broad range of U.S. stakeholders, including 
representatives of the U.S. fishing industry and environmental 
community, as well as the States of Alaska and Washington, also 
participated on the U.S. delegation. Over the course of the 
final three negotiating sessions, an official of the United 
States chaired the negotiations.
    The United States has worked for many years with other 
nations to improve the management of fisheries at the 
international level and to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems 
from the effects of certain fishing practices on the high seas. 
As such, the United States took a leadership role in the 
negotiation and promotion of this Convention and the Department 
of State joins the agencies noted above in recommending that 
the Convention be submitted to the Senate at an early date for 
its advice and consent to ratification. The Convention will 
require implementing legislation, which is being drafted and 
can be submitted to the Congress for its consideration when 
appropriate.
    I recommend, therefore, that you transmit the Convention to 
the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification at the 
earliest possible date.
    Respectfully submitted,
                            Hillary Rodham Clinton.
    Enclosures: As stated.

    
    
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