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

Zusammenfassung

On April 30, 2003, the Department of State certified, pursuant to section 609 of Public Law 101-162 ("Section 609"), that 15 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 Department also certified that the fishing environments in 24 other countries and one economy, Hong Kong, 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, 2003 pursuant to section 609.