[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 7 (Monday, February 17, 2003)]
[Pages 187-188]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting 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

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

[[Page 188]]

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 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.