IV 



The United States and Canada began discussions in 

 1976 aimed at creating a framework for coordinated 

 fishery management. In August 1977 both governments 

 appointed special negotiators. Ey October 1977 the coun- 

 tries had agreed on the basic elements and principles of 

 such a framework. On March 29, 1979, the United States 

 and Canada signed the agreement subsequently negotiated. 



While negotiations were underway, both governments 

 entered into a reciprocal fishery agreement for 1977 that 

 continued traditional fisheries at recent levels. By the 

 end of that year, when it became clear that more time would 

 be needed to work out the long term arrangements, both 

 governments agreed to extend the 1977 agreement with minor 

 modifications for another year. In June 1978, however, 

 Canada announced that it would not give effect to the 1978 

 interim agreement and suspended traditional U.S. fisheries 

 in its undisputed fishery zone. The United States took 

 reciprocal action. Since that time, fishermen of each 

 country have been excluded from the undisputed zone of the 

 other, although fishermen of both continue to operate in 

 the disputed area on Georges Bank subject only to their 

 respective domestic regulations. 



The Agreement would reduce current risks of competi- 

 tive overfishing of stocks in the Georges Bank disputed 



