ALASKA FISHERY AND FUB-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1924 73 



provided that upon the recommendation of the International Fisheries Com- 

 mission hereinafter described, this close season may be modified or suspended 

 at any time after the expiration of three such seasons, by a special agreement 

 concluded and duly ratified by the high contracting parties. 



It is understood that nothing contained in this article shall prohibit the nationals 

 or inhabitants and the fishing vessels or boats of the United States and of the 

 Dominion of Canada from fishing in the waters hereinbefore specified for other 

 species of fish during the season when fishing for halibut in such waters is pro- 

 hibited by this article. Any halibut that may be taken incidentally when 

 fishing for other fish during the season when fishing for halibut is prohibited 

 under the provisions of this article may be retained and used for food for the 

 crew of the vessel by which they are taken. Any portion thereof not so used 

 shall be landed and immediately turned over to the duly authorized officers of the 

 Department of Commerce of the United States or of the Department of Marine 

 and Fisheries of the Dominion of Canada. Any fish turned over to such officers 

 in pursuance of the provisions of this article shall be sold by them to the highest 

 bidder and the proceeds of such sale, e.xclusive of the necessary expenses in con- 

 nection therewith, shall be paid by them into the Treasuries of their respective 

 countries, 



ARTICLE II 



Every national or inhabitant, vessel or boat of the United States or of the 

 Dominion of Canada engaged in halibut fishing in violation of the preceding 

 article may be seized except within the jurisdiction of the other party by the duly 

 authorized officers of either high contracting party and detained by the officers 

 making such seizure and delivered as soon as practicable to an authorized official 

 of the country to which such person, vessel, or boat belongs, at the nearest point 

 to the place of seizure, or elsewhere, as may be mutually agreed upon. The 

 authorities of the nation to which such person, vessel, or boat belongs alone shall 

 have jurisdiction to conduct prosecutions for the violation of the provisions of 

 the preceding article or of the laws or regulations which either high contracting 

 party may make to carry those provisions into effect, and to impose penalties 

 for such violations; and the witnesses and proofs necessary for such prosecutions, 

 so far as such witnesses or proofs are under the control of the other high contract- 

 ing party, shall be furnished with all reasonable promptitude to the authorities 

 having jurisdiction to conduct the prosecutions. 



ARTICLE III 



The high contracting parties agree to appoint within two months after the 

 exchange of ratifications of this convention, a commission to be known as the 

 International Fisheries Commission, consisting of four members, two to be 

 appointed by each party. This commission shall continue to exist so long as 

 this convention shall remain in force. Each party shall pay the salaries and 

 expenses of its own members, and joint expenses incurred by the commission 

 shall be paid by the two high contracting parties in equal moieties. 



The commission shall make a thorough investigation into the life history of 

 the Pacific halibut, and such investigation shall be undertaken as soon as prac- 

 ticable. The commission shall report the results of its investigation to the two 

 Governments and shall make recommendations as to the regulation of the halibut 

 fishery of the north Pacific Ocean, including the Bering Sea, which may seem to 

 be desirable for its preservation and development. 



ARTICLE IV 



The high contracting parties agree to enact and enforce such legislation as 

 may be necessary to make effective the provisions of this convention, with 

 appropriate penalties for violations thereof. 



ARTICLE V 



This convention shall remain in force for a period of five years and thereafter 

 until two years from the date when either of the high contracting parties shall 

 give notice to the other of its desire to terminate it. It shall be ratified in accord- 

 ance with the constitutional methods of the high contracting parties. The rati- 

 fications shall be exchanged in Washington as soon as practicable, and the con- 

 vention shall come into force on the day of the exchange of ratifications. 



