Outlook for United States Tuna Fishing in Foreign Areas 



FACTORS IMFLUENCING FUTURE DEVELOPI-ENTS 



Before discussing the possible future effects of territorial 

 sea declarations and fishing regulations on the United States tuna 

 fishery off Latin America, it is important to point out that 

 extremely confused and unsettled conditions surround the recent 

 developments;. The obvious political under-currents provide an 

 even more hazardous basis for interpretation since policies change 

 with administrations and are extremely vulnerable to pressures 

 from nationalistic elements, private or nationalized industries, 

 and political expediency* 



It has been estimated that the tuna fleet spends $2,500,000 

 annually for fishing permits in foreign waters* While there are 

 no statistics available, mention should be made of the large 

 amount of money spent for fuel, provisions, and recreation in the 

 many ports o This sujn is substantial and may exceed the amount 

 spent on fishAng permits. Thus, American tuna fishing activities 

 have proi/ided a substantial source of income to these countries, 

 which will hax'-e an. important influence on future developments. 



Thei'e has been a natural interest on the part of Latin 

 Americans in the exploitation of the rich fishery resources that 

 lie off their shores at certain seasons. Besides a desira to 

 share in this source of wealth from the sea, apprehension over- 

 possible depletion of the fisheries has led to passage of 

 restrictive fishing laws purportedly based on conservation. 

 Actually" there is no scientific information available conceriiing 

 either the tuna or bait populations which can be used as a basis 

 for an intel?Ligent conservation or management programo The desire 

 and abili.ty of these countries to capitalize on tuna production 

 will undoubtedly play a major i-ole in future fishery legislations 

 Tuna are "seasonal" off each country, and to develop a full-time 

 fishery J large vessels would be needed and this would entail 

 fishing off the coasts of other countries at certain times. For 

 a part-time tuna fishery to be successful, the fleet must be 

 able to tvTTi to other fishing activities in off seasons for vjhich 

 the vessels and crews would be suitable. This situation does .not 

 exist in many of these countries o Attempts to develop local t'ona 

 industries utilizing direct American aid and technical know-how 

 have been undertaken. Some have been unsuccessful due to 

 insufficient capital, poor management, political ir_fluence, and 

 the lack of a suitable local fishing fleet. The continuation of 

 efforts to establish r^ationally-owned industries is uncertain and 

 will depend upon degrees of success achieved. 



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