GCIL HOME HIGHLIGHTS Papahanaumokuakea Marine Monument Seabirds R.M.S. Titanic Significant Developments SUBJECT AREAS Antarctic Arctic Biological Diversity Climate Change Environment and Trade Extraterritorial Appl. of Laws Fisheries Heritage Marine Debris Marine Mammals Marine Pollution Marine Protected Areas Marine Turtles Marine Scientific Research Seabed Management Seabirds Ships, Regulation of Survey and Charting Treaties Underwater Sound Zones and Boundaries ACRONYMS INTERNSHIPS REFERENCES

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTS The Office of General Counsel for International Law Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing On August 28, 2009, representatives of 91 countries meeting at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome successfully concluded two years of negotiations of a new treaty to require stronger controls on vessels carrying fish into the world's ports. The treaty seeks to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by establishing minimum standards for the conduct of fishing vessel inspections and inspector training by port States; requiring denial of port entry and/or access to port services to vessels that have been engaged in IUU fishing or fishing-related activities; and requiring Parties to the agreement to investigate and take appropriate enforcement action in response to IUU activity detected during an inspection. By recognizing the key role that port States play in the movement of IUU fish around the world, and the necessity for international cooperation and information sharing, this treaty represents a significant step forward in the global effort to combat IUU fishing. The treaty is expected to be open for adherence by States once it is approved by the FAO Conference in November. Additional reference information: Press Release - UN Food and Agriculture Organization Press Release - U.S. State Department Report of the FAO Technical Consultation. Also available for download. Database on Port State Measures - UN Food and Agriculture Organization Protocol Amendments to the Convention on Hydrographic Organization (IHO) On May 19, 2009, President Obama ratified and confirmed the Protocol of Amendments to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The President's signature on the IHO Amendments will result in the implementation of a more flexible, efficient, and visible organization that will better serve important U.S. interests, including commercial shipping and scientific research. The IHO facilitates cooperation among nations in the development of international survey standards, and NOAA surveys are conducted consistent with international standards and practice. The survey and mapping of the seabed are essential to delineating the outer limits of that portion of the continental shelf that extends beyond the outer limit of the U.S. 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) consistent with Article 76 of the LOSC. Accurate charts and maps of our offshore maritime zones are indispensable tools to assuring safe and navigation, exploring, developing, managing, and preserving our natural and cultural resources, establishing a baseline for understanding how climate change is affecting our world, and protecting the marine environment and our national security. Additional reference information: US Ratification of Protocol of Amendments to IHO Convention and receipt from the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Monaco Senate, Advice and Consent S.Rept.Exec. 110-10. Protocol of Amendments to Convention on International Hydrographic Organization, June 26, 2008. White House News Release (October 24, 2007) Senate Treaty Doc. No. 110-9 (October 23, 2007) IHO Protocol Amendments IHO Convention History of NOAA Coast Survey NOAA Historical Maps and Charts International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Related pages: Survey and Charting U.S. Accession to the Law of the Sea Convention On September 26, 2007, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez sent a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee urging favorable Senate action on U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea Convention during the 110th Congress. The letter, in which Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne joined, emphasized that the U.S. -- with the world's longest coastlines, some of its busiest ports, and the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of any country -- has economic and environmental stewardship interests in the oceans that are second to none, and that joining the Convention is in the nation's interest. Indeed, President Bush, other cabinet members, industry, environmental groups, academics, and others have voiced strong support for U.S. accession. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held hearings on U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea Convention on September 27 and October 4, 2007. On October 31, 2007. by a vote of 17-4, the Committee voted in support of U.S. accession. On December 19, 2007, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee submitted its report and the resolution for advice and consent to the full Senate. A full Senate vote is expected this year. Additional reference information: Secretary of Commerce letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee (September 26, 2007) United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (December 10, 1982) Senate Executive Report, 110th Congress, 1st Session, Exec. Rpt. 110-9 (December 19, 2007) S. Borgerson, The National Interest and the Law of the Sea (Council on Foreign Relations Special Report, May 2009). Senate Executive Report, 108th Congress, 2nd Session, Exec. Rpt. 108-10 (March 11, 2004) U.S. Coast Guard Fact Sheet on the Law of the Sea Convention (June 12, 2009) Ratify the law of the sea (The PEW Charitable Trusts web site) Nancy Sutley, Jane Lubchenco and Thad Allen, "As an Arctic nation, U.S. must embrace smart, science-based stewardship," The Seattle Times, Sept. 4, 2009. (Contact The Seattle Times for permission to reprint or copy this article or photo.)