International Cooperation 



The United States is thus encouraging the international development of 

 long-range plans for intensified cooperative exploration of the oceans. The 

 past cooperative programs developed by scientists of many nations have 

 already provided many valuable insights of benefit to these nations, and such 

 a long-range program might include new efforts related to geological 

 mapping of the continental margins and deep ocean floor and biological 

 surveys to assess fishery stocks. 



All nations are invited to participate in this world-wide endeavor. If other 

 nations join in such an enterprise, existing ocean exploration activities of 

 international organizations will provide an excellent point of departure. 



Internal planning for ocean exploration activities of the United States, 

 including participation in international endeavors, is described in 

 Chapter VIII. 



3. Evolving Fishery Arrangements 



The following considerations necessitate further development of fishery 

 arrangements that harmonize broad national goals, conservation needs, and 

 domestic economic concerns : 



— There has been a recent increase of foreign fleets fishing in U.S. 

 coastal waters for species which have long been taken by our coastal 

 fishermen. Conflicts often arise because these fleets of large vessels 

 pre-empt the fishing grounds or because the catch by the larger 

 distant water vessels reduces the amount available for United 

 States fishermen. 

 — The United States fishing industry is lagging behind the industries 



of other nations. 

 — International fishery arrangements are increasingly influencing the 



economic aspects of fishing activities. 

 — United States distant water fishermen working intensively off the 

 coasts of other countries occasionally raise fears that the local re- 

 sources are being depleted. 

 — There is increasing overlap in the geographic areas of concern 



to the fishery commissions. 

 — Some nations are sending fishing fleets to areas covered by inter- 

 national fishery conventions to which they do not adhere. 

 — Finally, the world hunger situation requires further development of 

 the food resources of the oceans. 

 To strengthen the international legal framework for fishing in the near 

 term, all nations should be encouraged to adhere to the Geneva Convention 

 on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas ; "^ 

 the complex interrelationships among the many fishing conventions and 



" Table E-3 of Appendix E lists those countries which adhere to the Geneva 

 Conventions on the Law of the Sea. 



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