For the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery SIGNED AT WASHINGTON, MARCH 2. 1923 RATIFICATION ADVISED BY THE SENATE, MAY 31, 1924 RATIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT. JUNE 4. 1924 RATIFIED BY GREAT BRITAIN JULY 21. 1924 RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED AT WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 21, 1924 PROCLAIMED OCTOBER 22, 1924 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS a Convention between the United States of America and Great Britain for the preservation of the halibut fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean, including Bering Sea, was concluded and signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries at Washington on the second day of March, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three, the original of which is word for word as follows: The United States of America and His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, being equally desirous of securing the preservation of the halibut fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean have resolved to conclude a Convention for this purpose, and have named as their plenipotentiaries: The President of the United States of America: Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of State of the United States; and His Britannic Majesty: The Honorable Ernest Lapointe, K. C., B. A., LL. B., Minister of Marine and Fisheries of Canada; Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles: ARTICLE I. The nationals and inhabitants and the fishing vessels and boats, of the United States and of the Dominion of Canada, respectively, are hereby prohibited from fishing for halibut (Hippoglossus) both in the territorial waters and in the high seas off the western coasts of the United States, including Bering Sea, and of the Dominion of Canada, from the 16th day of November next after the date of the exchange of ratifications of this Convention, to the 15th day of the following February, both days inclusive, and within the same period yearly thereafter, provided that upon the recommendation of the International Fisheries Commission hereinafter described, this close season may be modified or suspended at any time after the expiration of three such seasons, by a special agreement concluded and duly ratified by the High Contracting Parties. It is understood that nothing contained in this Article shall prohibit the nationals or inhabitants and the fishing vessels or boats of the United States and of the Dominion of Canada, from fishing in the waters herein before specified for other species of fish during the season when fishing for halibut in such waters is prohibited by this Article. Any halibut that may be taken incidentally when fishing for other fish during the season when fishing for halibut is prohibited under the provisions of this Article may be retained and 16412-24 (1) |