GC Quick Links: Select One Office List HQ-Headquarters GCAK-Alaska GCEC-Compliance GCEL-Enforcement GCF-Fisheries GCIL-Intl. Law GCNE-Northeast GCNR-Nat. Res. GCNW-Northwest GCOS-Ocean Serv. GCPI-Pacific Is. GCSE-Southeast GCSW-Southwest GCW-Weather

GCIL HOME   HIGHLIGHTS AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSSES AND PETRELS PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA MARINE MONUMENT 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 REFERENCES

AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSSES AND PETRELS The Office of General Counsel for International Law On January 16, 2009, the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior jointly forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to implement the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). The legislation, entitled the "Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2009," follows up on the September 26, 2008 transmittal by President George W. Bush of ACAP to the Senate recommending that it give early and favorable consideration to the Agreement and give its advice and consent to U.S. accession. ACAP is a multilateral agreement with an objective to achieve and maintain a favorable conservation status for albatrosses and petrels through improved conservation measures, research and information exchange, and increased awareness of conservation issues, including the susceptibility of these birds to a range of threats at sea and on land. The Agreement, which entered into force in 2004, was negotiated under the framework of the Convention on Migratory Species and currently has 13 Parties. The U.S. participated actively in the negotiation of ACAP due to its interest in seabird conservation in general and its status as a "Range State" of several of the listed species, and has participated as an observer in ACAP meetings since the ACAP entered into force. In October 2007, President Bush directed Federal agencies to increase U.S. involvement in ACAP, setting in motion the Administration's efforts to join the Agreement. NOAA's Office of General Counsel for International Law has played a key role in these efforts, including the development of the treaty transmittal package and preparation of proposed implementing legislation. Additional reference information: Proposed "Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2009" Section-by-Section Analysis of the Proposed "Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2009" Letters of January 16, 2009, from the Departments of Commerce and the Interior to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President of the Senate forwarding the "Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2009" Department of the Interior Press Release on the "Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2009" White House News Release on President's Transmittal of ACAP to U.S. Senate (September 26, 2008). Download version. Treaty Transmittal Package (Treaty Doc. 110-22) White House Fact Sheet Improving Habitat for Our Nation's Migratory Birds (October 19, 2007). Download version. Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels ACAP Homepage NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, International Seabird Activities