Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; Certifications Pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162

الملخص

On May 1, 1997, the Department of State certified, pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162 (``Section 609''), that 14 nations have adopted programs to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles in their shrimp fisheries comparable to the program in effect in the United States. The certification earlier in 1997 of Nigeria and Brazil on these same grounds remains valid, so a total of 16 nations are currently certified on this basis. The Department also certified that the fishing environments in 24 other countries do not pose a threat of the incidental taking of sea turtles protected under Section 609. Shrimp imports from any nation not certified were prohibited effective May 1, 1997 pursuant to Section 609.