    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [February 11, 2003]
    [Pages 155-156]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting Amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries
    Between Certain Pacific Island States and the United States of America
    February 11, 2003

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith Amendments to the 1987 Treaty on
    Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and
    the Government of the United States of America, with Annexes and agreed
    statements, done at Port Moresby, April 2, 1987 (the ``Treaty''), done
    at Koror, Palau, March 30, 1999, and at Kiritimati, Kiribati, March 24,
    2002. I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of
    the Secretary of State with respect to these Amendments, related
    Amendments to the Treaty Annexes, and the Memorandum of Understanding
    regarding provisional application.
        The United States enjoys positive and constructive fisheries
    relations with the Pacific Island Parties through the implementation and
    operation of the Treaty, which is one of the cornerstones of our overall
    foreign relations with the Pacific Island Parties. This Treaty, and the
    good relationships it has fostered, has provided new opportunities for
    collaboration between the Pacific Island Parties and the United States
    on fisheries conservation and management issues. The relationships
    established as a result of the Treaty have also helped to safeguard U.S.
    commercial and security interests in the region.
        The Amendments to the Treaty will, among other things, allow U.S.
    longline vessels to fish in high seas portions of the Treaty Area;
    streamline the way amendments to the Treaty Annexes are agreed; and
    allow the Parties to consider the issue of capacity in the Treaty Area
    and, where appropriate, to promote consistency between the Treaty and
    the relevant fisheries management convention, which is likely to come
    into force during the duration of the extended operation of the Treaty.
        Existing legislation, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
    Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. and the South
    Pacific Tuna Act of 1988, Public Law 100-330, provides sufficient legal
    authority to implement U.S. obligations under the Treaty. Therefore, no
    new legislation

    [[Page 156]]

    is necessary in order for the United States to ratify these Amendments.
    However, minor amendments to section 6 of the South Pacific Tuna Act of
    1988, Public Law 100-330 will be necessary to take account of the
    Amendment to paragraph 2 of Article 3 ``Access to the Treaty Area,''
    which opens the high seas of the Treaty Area to fishing by U.S. longline
    vessels.
        I recommend that the Senate give favorable consideration to these
    Amendments and give its advice and consent to their ratification at an
    early date.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     February 11, 2003.