APPENDIX 57 



APPENDIX 



INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE HIGH SEAS 

 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN 



The Governments of the United States of America, Canada and Japan, whose respec- 

 tive duly accredited representatives have subscribed hereto. 



Acting as sovereign nations in the Hght of their rights under the principles of inter- 

 national law and custom to exploit the fishery resources of the high seas, and 



Believing that it will best serve the common interest of mankind, as well as the 

 interests of the Contracting Parties, to ensure the maximum sustained productivity of 

 the fishery resources of the North Pacific Ocean, and that each of the parties should 

 assume an obligation, on a free and equal footing, to encourage the conservation of 

 such resources, and 



Recognizing that in view of these considerations it is highly desirable (1) to establish 

 an International Commission, representing the three Parties hereto, to promote and 

 coordinate the scientific studies necessary to ascertain the conservation measures 

 required to secure the maximum sustained productivity of fisheries of joint interest to 

 the Contracting Parties and to recommend such measures to such Parties and (2) that 

 each Party carry out such conservation recommendations, and provide for necessary 

 restraints on its own nationals and fishing vessels. 



Therefore agree as follows: 



ARTICLE I 



1. The area to which this Convention applies, hereinafter referred to as "the Conven- 

 tion area," shall be all waters, other than territorial w^aters, of the North Pacific Ocean 

 which for the purposes hereof shall include the adjacent seas. 



2. Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to affect adversely (prejudice) the 

 claims of any Contracting Party in regard to the limits of territorial waters or to the 

 jurisdiction of a coastal state over fisheries. 



3. For the purposes of this Convention the term "fishing vessel" shall mean any 

 vessel engaged in catching fish or processing or transporting fish loaded on the high 

 seas, or any vessel outfitted for such activities. 



ARTICLE II 



1. In order to realize the objectives of this Convention, the Contracting Parties shall 

 establish and maintain the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission, herein- 

 after referred to as "the Commission." 



2. The Commission shall be composed of three national sections, each consisting of 

 not more than four members appointed by the governments of the respective Contract- 

 ing Parties. 



3. Each national section shall have one vote. All resolutions, recommendations and 

 other decisions of the Commission shall be made only by a unanimous vote of the three 

 national sections except \vhen under the provisions of Article III, Section 1(c) (ii) only 

 two participate. 



4. The Commission may decide upon and amend, as occasion may require, by-laws or 

 rules for the conduct of its meetings. 



5. The Commission shall meet at least once each year and at such other times as may 

 be requested by a majority of the national sections. The date and place of the first 

 meeting shall be determined by agreement between the Contracting Parties. 



6. At its first meeting the Commission shall select a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 

 Secretary from different national sections. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary 

 shall hold office for a period of one year. During succeeding years selection of a Chair- 



