tightened up the requirement for offsetting reductions from aid 

 funds programmed for the seizing governments. Congress also 

 authorized appropriation of funds to support tuna fishery develop- 

 ment activities in Micronesia. 



The United States distant-water fishermen who operate off north- 

 eastern South America were assured of continued access to their 

 accustomed fishing grounds within the 200-mile territorial sea 

 claimed by Brazil by the signing of a shrimp conservation agree- 

 ment between the United States and Brazil on May 9, 1972. The 

 United States agreed to limit the number of its flag vessels in the 

 fishery for conservation purposes. The agreement requires only 

 voluntary compliance until passage of implementing legislation in 

 the United States. The agreement was a successful compromise 

 between countries having widely disparate positions on fishery 

 jurisdiction, and should make it possible to avoid another dispute 

 like that which has troubled the tuna fishery on the west coast of 

 South America. It is also noteworthy that both the United States and 

 Brazil could reach agreement while preserving their judicial and law 

 of the sea positions pending an international solution at the Law of 

 the Sea Conference. 



Foreign fishing vessel interference with deepwater lobster pots off 

 the Atlantic coast continued to be a problem. Vigorous action by the 

 U.S. Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service in 

 cooperation with the Department of State helped alleviate conflicts 

 with foreign fishermen. In an effort to minimize gear conflicts, daily 

 messages were sent to foreign fleet commanders identifying areas 

 where U.S. lobster pots were located. These actions tended to 

 diminish the problem somewhat. Assistance was rendered to 

 American Fishermen in preparing and presenting damage claims 



U.S. Government officials and lobster fisherman discuss lobster pot 

 interference with USSR fishing fleet commander and staff. 



17 



