[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[August 17, 1992]
[Page 1363]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Determination Not To Prohibit 
Fish Imports From Certain Countries
August 17, 1992

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    Pursuant to section 8(b) of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967, 
as amended (22 U.S.C. 1978(b)), generally known as the Pelly Amendment, 
I am notifying you that on July 31, 1992, in accordance with section 
101(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Secretary of 
Commerce certified to me that a ban on the importation of yellowfin tuna 
and yellowfin tuna products from Canada, Colombia, Malaysia, the 
Netherlands Antilles, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom has been 
in effect since January 31, 1992. This ban is the result of an order 
issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of 
California, which the Administration has appealed.
    By the terms of the MMPA, such certification is deemed to be a 
certification for the purposes of the Pelly Amendment, which requires 
that I consider and, at my discretion, order the prohibition of imports 
into the United States of fish and fish products from the identified 
countries, to the extent that such prohibition is sanctioned by the 
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The Pelly Amendment also 
requires that I report to the Congress any actions taken under this 
subsection and, if no import prohibitions have been ordered, the reasons 
for this action.
    After thorough review, I have determined that sanctions against 
these nations will not be imposed at this time, particularly as the 
Administration pursues its appeal of the District Court order, and to 
allow implementation of an international dolphin conservation program in 
the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
    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.