Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Relating To Fishing Operations In The Northeastern Pacific Ocean
Source: United Nations Treaty Series, No. 11067
The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
Being mutually concerned that fishing operations in the northeastern Pacific Ocean carried on by the fishermen of the two countries be conducted with due consideration for the interests of both Parties,
Considering it desirable to take measures for the prevention of damage to the fishing gear used by the fishermen of both countries,
Considering it desirable also to provide for appropriate contacts between representatives of both Parties on questions related to the conduct of the fisheries,
Have agreed on the following measures :
1. The Parties will take measures to emphasize to their officials, fishing industry organizations and fishermen the importance of special efforts to protect fishing gear belonging to each side from damage by vessels and fishing gear of the other side, when conducting fishing operations in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Each Party will encourage the use by its officials, fishing industry organizations and fishermen of devices, detectable both day and night, to mark the location of fixed fishing gear. The Parties will inform each other of the devices and the manner in which they are used. Each Party will promote the exercise of necessary caution on the part of persons responsible for the operation of vessels and gear so as to aid to the maximum extent practicable in timely detection of the vessels and gear of the other Party and prevention of damage thereto.
2. In the waters seaward of the nine-mile zone contiguous to the territorial sea of the United States fishing operations using mobile fishing gear will not be conducted during the periods specified below in the six areas off Kodiak Island bounded respectively by straight lines connecting in each of the following groups the coordinates in the order listed :
a) From August 15 to April 30 inclusive :
North Latitude [TAB] West Longitude
(1) [TAB] 57° 15' [TAB] 154° 51'
[TAB] 56° 57' [TAB] 154° 34'
[TAB] 56° 21' [TAB] 155° 40'
[TAB] 56° 26' [TAB] 155° 55'
[TAB] 57° 15' [TAB] 154° 51'
(2) [TAB] 56° 27' [TAB] 154° 06'
[TAB] 55° 46' [TAB] 155° 27'
[TAB] 55° 40' [TAB] 155° 17'
[TAB] 55° 48' [TAB] 155° 00'
[TAB] 55° 54' [TAB] 154° 55'
[TAB] 56° 03' [TAB] 154° 36'
[TAB] 56° 03' [TAB] 153° 45'
[TAB] 56° 30' [TAB] 153° 45'
[TAB] 56° 30' [TAB] 153° 49'
[TAB] 56° 27' [TAB] 154° 06'
(3) [TAB] 57° 05' [TAB] 152° 52'
[TAB] 56° 54' [TAB] 152° 52'
[TAB] 56° 46' [TAB] 152° 37'
[TAB] 56° 46' [TAB] 152° 20'
[TAB] 57° 19' [TAB] 152° 20'
[TAB] 57° 05' [TAB] 152° 52'
b) From August 15 to January 15 inclusive :
North Latitude [TAB] West Longitude
(1) [TAB] 56° 30' [TAB] 153° 49'
[TAB] 56° 30' [TAB] 153° 00'
[TAB] 56° 44' [TAB] 153° 00'
[TAB] 56° 57' [TAB] 153° 15'
[TAB] 56° 45' [TAB] 153° 45'
[TAB] 56° 30' [TAB] 153° 49'
(2) [TAB] 57° 35' [TAB] 152° 03'
[TAB] 57° 11' [TAB] 151° 14'
[TAB] 57° 19' [TAB] 150° 57'
[TAB] 57° 48' [TAB] 152° 00'
[TAB] 57° 35' [TAB] 152° 03'
(3) [TAB] 58° 00' [TAB] 152° 00'
[TAB] 58° 00' [TAB] 150° 00'
[TAB] 58° 12' [TAB] 150° 00'
[TAB] 58° 19' [TAB] 151° 29'
[TAB] 58° 00' [TAB] 152° 00'
3. The provisions of paragraph 2 shall not apply to small shrimp craft conducting trawling operations in such a way as not to interfere with fixed gear in the above areas, or to United States vessels engaged in scallop fishing operations.
4. It is understood that the right of fishermen of the Soviet Union to fish does not extend to waters within 12 nautical miles seaward from the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured.
5. It is understood that some vessels are likely to operate fixed gear outside the areas described in paragraph 2. Each Party will take special measures to promote the use by persons operating such vessels of means of marking such gear in addition to those ordinarily used. In order to inform the trawling fleet of the locations of such fixed gear, officials of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, or of the United States National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Chief of the Joint Expedition of the Main Administration of DALRYBA will, if the necessity arises, transmit timely information to each other on the location of such vessels and fishing gear. Arrangements for such transmissions, including the designation of working frequencies and times of transmission, will be agreed upon between the above-mentioned officials. The persons responsible for the operation of trawlers will be given specific instructions regarding extraordinary precautionary measures to be taken when operating in the vicinity of fixed gear the positions of which have been reported, or other fixed gear which is detected.
6. The United States will carry out further research designed to develop a more effective and practical method for marking the location of fixed gear. Soviet technicians will cooperate with those of the United States in this effort, particularly in connection with the testing of the effectiveness of new gear markers.
7. Each Party will immediately inform the other of damage to its fishing gear caused by the vessels or gear of the other Party in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, through the arrangements provided for in paragraph 5 or through diplomatic channels.
8. This Agreement is without prejudice to the views and rights of either Party with respect to the conduct of fishing operations on the high seas.
9. The Parties consider it desirable to expand contacts between government officials, representatives of the fishing industry, and fishery scientific workers of both countries for the discussion of questions of mutual interest and the achievement of greater mutual understanding.
10. This Agreement shall replace the Agreement of December 14, 1964[1] between the two Governments relating to fishing operations in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, as amended by the Agreement of January 31, 1969.[2] This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. At the request of either Government, representatives of the two Governments will meet at a mutually convenient time with a view to modifying the present Agreement. In any event, representatives of the two Governments will meet at a mutually convenient time prior to the expiration of the period of validity of this Agreement to review its operation and to decide on future arrangements.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized for this purpose, have signed this Agreement.
DONE at Washington, February 12, 1971, in duplicate, in the English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Government of the United States of America :
[Signed]
DONALD L. MCKERNAN
For the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics :
[Signed]
VLADIMIR M. KAMENTSEV
