invested in research and regiilation of these stocks, and we 

 had reason to believe they were being fully utilized; that is, 

 additional fishing by other nations would not increase total 

 production, but would simply replace present fishermen and 

 discourage continuation of extensive conservation programs 

 necessary for obtaining the maximum sustainable yield from 

 these stocks. It was the incentive of increased and sustained 

 production for their benefit which persuaded our fishermen 

 to submit to the rigid regulation essential to effective con- 

 servation of these fisheries. Thus, the principle of abstention 

 was necessary as a companion measure to the general prin- 

 ciple of freedom of the seas, in order to preserve valuable 

 fishery resources that we were maintaining at great effort, 



3. We must bear in mind that Japan is a great fishing 

 nation whose fishing activities are heavily dependent on the 

 principle of freedom of fishing. Consequently, Japan cannot 

 support or accept principles or procedures which seriously 

 endanger this freedom. To minimize Japanese sensitivity to 

 this problem, our proposals had to be related closely to the 

 characteristics of the fisheries which I have referred to 

 above and make clear the unique conservation considerations 

 and scientific requirements involved, 



4, When studying the Convention wording, all of these 

 points should be kept in mind. The Convention refers to 

 stocks of fish, and therefore does not involve areas of 

 jurisdiction* It specifies full utilization, naanagement meas- 

 ures in accordance with conservation programs, and the basic 

 requirement that all must be supported by reasonable 

 conclusions derived from scientific findings. 



I will readily agree that the Convention is not in the 

 precise form, or perhaps even in the approximate form, 

 in which you or I would wish to draft it if we had complete 

 freedom to do so, for it includes compromises necessary 

 for agreement. However, if you will study it closely, I think 

 you will find that it covers those stocks of fish of primary 

 interest to Alaska, There is one major exception, the stock 

 of Bristol Bay red salmon, which we now know migrate far 

 to the west to areas much closer to the Asian mainland than 

 to the mainland of Alaska, The results of recent research 

 have demonstrated that red salmon from Bristol Bay mingle 

 over a wide area with salmon of Asian origin. The problem 

 that develops from this is extraordinarily complex, a com- 

 plexity that derives from the extent and areas of migration, 

 extensive intermingling, and world politics. 



Problems and Accomplishments 

 of the Commission 



We have reviewed the nature and origins of the North 

 Pacific Convention and the make-up and terms of reference 

 of the Commission appointed under its provisions. What 

 are the problems of this Commission and what has it accom- 

 plished? 



