1998 Year of the Ocean Ocean Living Resources 



South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 . 16 U.S.C. §§ 973-973r 



The South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 implements the Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments 

 of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America, signed in Port 

 Moresby, Papua New Guinea, April 2, 1987. The Secretary of State is authorized to act on behalf of 

 the United States in Treaty matters. The Secretary of Commerce, with the concurrence of the 

 Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, issues regulations necessary to 

 carry out the objectives of the Treaty and the Act. Operators of vessels may request licenses to fish 

 in the Licensing Area. The Secretary may order fishing vessels to leave the Licensing Area upon 

 making certain findings. Vessels must stow gear while in closed areas and must allow and assist 

 observers. The Act provides for enforcement of the Act and its implementing regulations. 



Sponge Act , 16 U.S.C. §§ 781-785 



The Sponge Act regulates the landing, curing and sale of sponges taken from the Gulf of Mexico 

 and Straits of Florida. 



Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 , 16 U.S.C. §§ 951-991 



The Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 authorizes the appointment of not more than four 

 Commissioners to the International Commission for the Scientific Investigation of Tuna and the 

 Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission. The Secretary of State is authorized to act on behalf of 

 the United States with respect to Commission activities, and the Secretary of Commerce is 

 authorized to promulgate necessary regulations. The Act also provides for enforcement of the Act 

 and its implementing regulations. 



Whaling Convention Act of 1949 . 16 U.S.C. §§ 916 - 9161 



The Whaling Convention Act of 1949 implements the International Convention for the Regulation 

 of Whaling, signed at Washington on December 2, 1946. The President appoints the United States 

 Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized 

 to administer and enforce the Act. The Act prohibits persons subject to the jurisdiction of the 

 United States to engage in whaling, or shipping, transporting, purchasing, selling, offering for sale, 

 importing, exporting, or possessing whales in violation of the Convention or implementing 

 regulations. The Act provides for enforcement of the Act. 



C-46 



