The treaty between the governments of Canada and the U.S. on Pacific Coast
Albacore Tuna Vessels and Port Privileges was signed in 1981. This agreement between the
two governments was amended in 2002, and codified by law in April 2004. It allows U.S.
vessels to fish for albacore tuna in Canadian waters seaward of 12 miles from shore, and
Canadian vessels to fish for albacore in U.S. waters seaward of 12 miles from shore. The
treaty also allows Canadian vessels to use certain U.S. ports to obtain supplies and
services and to land fish, and it allows U.S. vessels to use certain Canadian ports for
the same purposes. The treaty also calls for exchange of fisheries data between the
governments of the two nations. New regulations will ensure that the U.S. can meet its
obligations under the treaty, including the 2002 amendments. The regulations establish
vessel marking, record keeping, and reporting requirements for U.S. albacore tuna fishing
vessel operators and for Canadian albacore tuna fishing vessel operators when they are
fishing in U.S. waters.