[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[January 10, 1992]
[Page 73]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 73]]

Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Determination Not To Prohibit 
Fish Imports From Venezuela and Vanuatu

January 10, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:    (Dear Mr. President:)
    Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of the Pelly Amendment 
to the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1978), 
I am reporting to you that the Secretary of Commerce reported to me that 
the countries of Venezuela and Vanuatu have been under a court-ordered 
embargo since March 26, 1991. No yellowfin tuna or products derived from 
yellowfin tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) by 
purse seine vessels of Venezuela and Vanuatu may be imported into the 
United States.
    The Secretary's letter to me is deemed to be a certification for the 
purposes of subsection (a) of the Pelly Amendment. Subsection (a) 
requires that I consider and, at my discretion, order the prohibition of 
imports into the United States of fish and fish products from Venezuela 
and Vanuatu to the extent that such prohibition is consistent with the 
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Subsection (b) requires me to 
report to the Congress within 60 days following certification on the 
actions taken pursuant to the certification; if all fish imports have 
not been prohibited, the report must state the reasons for doing so.
    After thorough review, I have determined that, given that an embargo 
is currently in effect and given the negotiations toward an 
international dolphin conservation program in the ETP, sanctions will 
not be imposed at this time. Venezuela and Vanuatu will continue to be 
certified, and we will review their marine mammal incidental mortality 
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act if findings are requested for 
1992. I will make further reports to you as developments warrant.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.