    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [November 19, 1993]
    [Page 2028]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Russia-U.S. Fishery Agreement
    November 19, 1993

    To the Congress of the United States:
        In accordance with the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management
    Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-265; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), I transmit
    herewith an Agreement Between the Government of the United States of
    America and the Government of the Russian Federation Amending and
    Extending the Agreement on Mutual Fisheries Relations of May 31, 1988.
    The agreement, which was effected by an exchange of notes at Washington
    on March 11 and September 15, 1993, extends the 1988 agreement through
    December 31, 1998. This agreement also amends the 1988 agreement by
    simplifying the provisions relating to the issuance of licenses by each
    Party to vessels of the other Party that wish to conduct operations in
    its 200-mile zone and by adding the requirement that the Parties
    exchange data relating to such fishing operations. The exchange of notes
    together with the present agreement constitute a governing international
    fishery agreement within the meaning of section 201(c) of the Act.
        The agreement provides opportunities for nationals and vessels from
    each country to continue to conduct fisheries activities on a reciprocal
    basis in the other country's waters. The agreement also continues a
    framework for cooperation between the two countries on other fisheries
    issues of mutual concern. Since the 1988 agreement expired October 28,
    1993, and U.S. fishermen are conducting operations in Russian waters, I
    strongly recommend that the Congress consider issuance of a joint
    resolution to bring this agreement into force at an early date.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    November 19, 1993.