Amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America
Key claim: The US Senate advised and consented to ratification of the 2016 Amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries with Certain Pacific Island States (Treaty Doc. 115-3), subject to a declaration that the amendments are not self-executing.
Abstract
(Treaty Doc. 115-3) Transmitted to the Senate 2018-08-28. Latest action (2022-04-06): Committee on Foreign Relations. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-366. Resolution: As approved by the Senate: Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present concurring therein),SECTION 1. SENATE ADVICE AND CONSENT SUBJECT TO A DECLARATION The Senate advises and consents to the ratification of the Amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America done at Port Moresby April 2, 1987, as amended, done at Nadi, Fiji, December 3, 2016 (‘‘the Amendments’’) (Treaty Doc. 115-3), subject to the declaration of section 2.SECTION 2. DECLARATION The advice and consent of the Senate under section 1 is subject to the following declaration: The Amendments are not self-executing.
Why this matters
The South Pacific Tuna Treaty is a cornerstone US economic and diplomatic instrument in the Pacific Islands region, granting US-flagged purse seine vessels access to rich tuna fisheries in exchange for economic assistance. Senate ratification of the 2016 amendments updates the legal framework governing fees, vessel access, and withdrawal procedures, sustaining a key US presence in a region where China is expanding its own fisheries and diplomatic engagement. The non-self-executing declaration signals that implementing legislation or existing statutes will govern domestic effect.