Amendments to Annex II of the Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the United States of America

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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 Amendments update Annex II of the US Tuna Treaty. The US Tuna Treaty is a regional fisheries agreement that provides access for United States tuna fishing vessels to the Exclusive Economic Zones (“EEZs”) of Pacific Island Parties (“PIPs”), in return for access fees that are paid to the PIPs.

The Amendments update the commercial model in Annex II to allow access fees to be negotiated with each relevant PIP, or with the relevant territory or territories of a PIP (with the appropriate authorisation of that PIP). Annex II previously prescribed these fees.

 

NZ Adherence Status:

In Progress

Negotiation Status:

A substantive negotiated agreement for the Amendments was reached in December 2023 and finalised in May 2024. Parliamentary treaty examination on the Amendments was completed in February 2025 and New Zealand is in the process of depositing the Instrument of Acceptance with the Government of Papua New Guinea as depository for the treaty.  

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:

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