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

摘要

On July 21, 1998, the Department of State certified, pursuant to Section 609 of Public Law 101-162 (``Section 609''), that that Venezuela and Nigeria have adopted programs governing the incidental capture of sea turtles in their commercial shrimp fisheries comparable to the program in effect in the United States. Previously, on May 1, 1998, the Department certified that 15 other 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 of State also certified on May 1, 1998, that the fishing environments in 24 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, 1998 pursuant to Section 609.