    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [January 15, 2009]
    [Pages 1575-1576]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting an Extension of the Russia-United
    States Mutual Fisheries Agreement
    January 15, 2009

    To the Congress of the United States:
        In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
    Management Act (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 Extending the Agreement Between the
    Government of the United States and the Government of the Russian
    Federation on Mutual Fisheries Relations of May 31, 1988, with annex, as
    extended (the ``Mutual Fisheries Agreement''). The present Agreement,
    which was effected by an exchange of notes in Moscow on March 28, 2008,
    and September 19, 2008, extends the Mutual Fisheries Agreement until
    December 31, 2013.

    [[Page 1576]]

        In light of the importance of our fisheries relationship with the
    Russian Federation, I urge that the Congress give favorable
    consideration to this Agreement at an early date.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     January 15, 2009.