[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 227 (Friday, November 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 59482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29847]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
[Public Notice 2469]


Certifications Pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162

SUMMARY: On April 30, 1995, the Department of State certified, pursuant 
to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162, that 36 countries with commercial 
shrimp trawl fisheries have adopted programs to reduce the incidental 
capture of sea turtles in such fisheries comparable to the program in 
effect in the United States, or that the fishing environment in the 
countries does not pose a threat of the incidental taking of species of 
sea turtles protected under U.S. law and regulations. The Department 
also certified Honduras on August 1, 1996. The Department was unable to 
issue a certification on April 30 for Thailand and, as a result, 
imports of shrimp harvested in Thailand in a manner harmful to sea 
turtles were prohibited effective May 1, 1996. The Department of State 
subsequently issued a certification for Thailand on November 8, 1996 
and, as a result, the ban on shrimp imports that had been in effect 
since May 1, 1996, was lifted.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 22, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hollis Summers, Office of Marine 
Conservation, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and 
Scientific Affairs, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-7818; 
telephone: (202) 647-3940.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 609 of Public Law 101-162 prohibits 
imports of shrimp unless the President certifies to the Congress by May 
1 of each year either: (1) that the harvesting nation has adopted a 
program governing the incidental capture of sea turtles in its 
commercial shrimp fishery comparable to the program in effect in the 
United States and has an incidental take rate comparable to that of the 
United States; or (2) that the fishing environment in the harvesting 
nation does not pose a threat of the incidental taking of sea turtles. 
The President has delegated the authority to make this certification to 
the Department of State. Revised State Department guidelines for making 
the required certifications were published in the Federal Register on 
April 19, 1996 (61 FR 17342).

    On April 30, 1996, the Department of State certified that 36 shrimp 
harvesting nations have met, for the current year, the requirements of 
the law. The Department of State was unable to certify Thailand at that 
time. As a result, imports of shrimp from Thailand that were harvested 
in ways harmful to sea turtles were prohibited pursuant to Public Law 
101-162 effective May 1, 1996.
    The Department did not previously certify Thailand because the 
Government of Thailand had not required all commercial shrimp trawl 
vessels subject to its jurisdiction that operated in waters where there 
is a likelihood of intercepting sea turtles to use turtle excluder 
devices at all times. The Department of State has determined that 
Thailand has now instituted such a requirement. Shrimp trawl vessels in 
Thailand are now required to use turtle excluder devices comparable in 
effectiveness to those used in the United States. The requirement to 
use them is being enforced. The Department of State, therefore, was 
able to certify to Congress that Thailand is in accordance with the 
provisions of Section 609 of Public Law 101-162.

    Dated: November 8, 1996.
Larry L. Snead,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans.
[FR Doc. 96-29847 Filed 11-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M