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Amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the United States of America
Treaty Type:
Multilateral
Common Name:
2016 Amendments to US Pacific Tuna Treaty
Responsible Department:
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Administering Department:
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Treaty Summary:
The 2016 Amendments update the US Pacific Tuna Treaty and its annexes. The US Pacific Tuna Treaty is a regional fisheries agreement that provides access to Pacific Island parties’ exclusive economic zones (“EEZs”) for United States tuna fishing vessels, and in return, it provides for a specified amount of money to be paid to Pacific Island countries.
The key terms of the amendments provide:
- A multi-year term for commercial fishing arrangements
- Clarity regarding the application of Pacific Island countries’ national laws to United States vessels
- A new commercial model for the Treaty’s operation
NZ Adherence Status:
In Progress
Negotiation Status:
The terms of the US Pacific Tuna Treaty have been under renegotiation since 2009 with a series of short-term non-binding arrangements governing terms of fishing access since 2013. A substantive negotiated agreement for the 2016 Amendments was reached in Auckland in July 2016 and finalised in December 2016. This agreement consolidated renegotiated text since 2009.
The 2016 Amendments successfully completed Parliamentary Treaty Examination in June 2017. New Zealand deposited its instrument of acceptance to the Amendments on 18 April 2018. The Amendments will enter into force once all parties to the Treaty deposit their instruments of acceptance.
These amendments are not yet in force, but are being applied provisionally by the parties through a MOU.
Organisation:
Is Signed By NZ:
No
Signature Date:
Ratified or Signed:
No
Requires Ratification:
No
NZ Territorial Applications:
Tokelau
Information about required Legislation:
Impacts on Maori:
As no United States fishing will take place in New Zealand's EEZ under current terms, the amendments will not impact on Maori interests.
Impacts on Stakeholders:
The Government of Tokelau and the Administrator of Tokelau were consulted on the negotiated amendments. Stakeholders also had the chance to comment through the Parliamentary Treaty Examination process.
Link To Legislation:
Treaty Text Link:
Contact Information:
If you would like more information about this Treaty please contact us using our contact form.