fishery in August 1989 by modifying its ministerial ordinance. Under this registration system large-mesh fishermen operating on the high seas are required to register their fishing plan in order to engage in the fishery and submit catch reports and other necessary information to the MAFF for a better understanding of the fishing operations.

The following are the main elements of these measures:

Prohibition of retention of anadromous species, even taken incidentally

1)

Restrictions on fishing ground and period

2)

3)

Mandatory display of vessel's name and registration number for facilitating identification of the vessel

Based upon the 1989 registration system, the FAJ adopted a new regulatory system for the high seas large-mesh driftnet fishery in 1990. The regulatory system imposed a limited entry system which restricts the number of vessels which can participate in the high seas fishery for 1990 and beyond, strictly limiting new entrants to the fishery, and prohibits expansion of the capacity of fishing vessels. Furthermore, the regulatory system provided for the adoption of measures which require the deployment of transmitters on all high seas vessels, prohibit transfers at sea, and mandate the submission of vessel position reports. Other regulatory measures will be adopted as necessary.

In the event of the violation of any of the regulations above, penalties will be imposed in accordance with the Japanese domestic regulations.

Licensing certificates will be issued to squid driftnet fishing vessels operating in the North Pacific late in May after the necessary domestic procedures. The number of licensed vessels is limited to that of the previous year.

The list of the licensed vessels, including enlisting name, license number and vessel registration number, will be made available to the Canadian and U.S. authorities on request at the earliest possible time after the licenses are issued. In addition, each driftnet vessel must submit to the FAJ a color photograph of each side of the vessel.

Based upon the 1989 registration system, the FAJ imposed a new regulatory system to limit the number of fishing vessels engaged in the high seas large-mesh driftnet fishery to a number less than the actual number of vessels which operated during the last twelve months. No more than 200 vessels are permitted in this high seas fishery for the 1991 season and beyond. In addition, each driftnet vessel must submit to the FAJ a color photograph of each side of the vessel. The list of the vessels will be made available to the Canadian and U.S. authorities upon request.

The operation of the squid driftnet fishery is permitted only within the limits of the waters surrounded by 20 degrees N, 170 degrees E, 145 degrees W and the northern boundary that changes by month (40-46 degrees N). The period in which the operation is permitted is limited from June to December. The northern and eastern boundaries have been specifically established to minimize incidental takes of anadromous species.

For squid driftnet vessels operating in the area between 170 degrees E to 145 degrees W longitude, the northern boundaries are established as follows:

The FAJ will maintain existing time and area restrictions (Figures 1 and 2), including the prohibition of the large-mesh driftnet operation in the following areas.

2)

north of the northern boundaries between 170 degrees E and 145 degrees W longitude described below:

The FAJ has introduced additional northern boundaries established as follows for the indicated areas and times for the large-mesh driftnet fishery, as a part of the new regulatory system.

In order to facilitate the identification of squid driftnet vessels at sea, displaying vessel's name, license number and vessel's registration number in a specified size on the hull is mandatory for all the licensed vessels.

Each squid driftnet vessel is to be assigned a license number. This license number is to be displayed on both sides of the hull and on both sides of the bridge in a color in contrast to the background. The license number affixed to the

hull must be in Roman letters and Arabic numerals at least 50 cm in height. The license number affixed to the bridge must be in Roman letters and Arabic numerals at least 30 cm in height. In addition, each squid driftnet vessel will have two blue stripes, one at least 30 cm in width and the other at least 20 cm in width, surrounding the bridge.

(b) Large-mesh Driftnet Fishery

Each large-mesh driftnet vessel will have one black stripe at least 30 cm in width surrounding the bridge. For the identification of large-mesh driftnet vessels at sea, displaying the vessel's name and the vessel's registration number in a specified size on the bridge is mandatory. The registration number affixed to the bridge must be in Roman letters and Arabic numbers at least 30 cm in height and in a color in contrast to the background.

Each driftnet vessel is to use methods to identify the driftnet gear it deploys by permanently marking at every tan (45-50 m) of net with the name of the vessel and its corresponding license number or port of registry if the vessel has not been issued a license number. Each vessel is also required to refrain from discarding used or damaged driftnets, to stow them on the vessel, and to return them to port for proper disposal upon completion of the vessel's voyage. The location, date, and amount of lost fishing gear must be reported to the FAJ.

(vi) Gear restrictions

Driftnet vessels may only carry the gear type for which they are permitted (large mesh (15 cm or more) or small mesh (10-13.5 cm)). No driftnet vessel can be permitted to engage in more than one kind of driftnet fishery during any given scheduled fishing trip.

II. Gear materials

In 1991, the FAJ will continue its basic research, started in 1989, on the development of biodegradable materials which break into segments that do not represent a significant threat to the living marine resources. Reports of this research will be provided to the U.S. side. The FAJ will also make best efforts to conduct a field experiment of the fishing nets constructed with biodegradable materials by a research vessel in the squid fishing grounds in 1991. The U.S. side will provide the FAJ with any useful information for the development of biodegradable materials.

In the 1991 season and thereafter, enforcement activities such as the deployment of patrol boats and surveillance at landing ports by Japanese enforcement officers will be maintained.

The number of vessel-days of patrol cruises focusing mainly on the enforcement of the northern boundary will be maintained in the 1991 season (5 patrol-boats to be deployed for about 600 vessel-days in 1991). During January-June 1992 an enforcement presence at sea will be maintained comparable to that during the same period of 1991 unless violations should indicate otherwise.

FAJ will conduct surveillance and boardings of Japanese driftnet fishing vessels, both dockside and at sea. On the high seas, FAJ will coordinate with the appropriate U.S. authorities communications between their respective patrol units. Both sides will use state-of-the-art communications equipment such as International Marine Satellite (INMARSAT) and facsimile to facilitate communications, where possible.

(iii) Utilization of the information supplied by the U.S. officials in Japanese investigations

The Japanese side intends to continue to utilize, to the maximum extent, the information supplied by the U.S. officials indicating alleged violations by the Japanese driftnet fishing vessels, in the investigation and identification of the violator. In order to facilitate the investigation on the Japanese side, photographs are expected to be as clear as possible, and/or with reliable information of sighting positions.

The Japanese side intends to continue to provide the U.S. authorities with the results of its investigation, which has utilized the information supplied by the U.S. officials, including specific penalty imposed on the violators.

(iv) Notice of the outline of Japanese enforcement activities:

The Japanese side intends to continue to be prepared to provide the Canadian and U.S. authorities with the outline of the Japanese enforcement activities on a voluntary basis.

IV. Exchange of Enforcement Observers

The Japanese side is prepared to invite a U.S. observer to at least one 30 day patrol cruise of the Hakuryu-maru of FAJ in 1991.

The Japanese side understands that the U.S. side will invite a Japanese observer to get on board a U.S. Coast Guard surveillance plane. The flight will stage out of Coast Guard Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska or other appropriate U.S. facilities.

The Japanese side also understands that both sides will pay the travel and per diem costs of their own observers and each side will cover all operational costs of their patrol operations.

Real-time automatic satellite position fixing devices (transmitters) will be deployed by the relevant fishery organization on board 100% of the Japanese driftnet fishing vessels which leave port for operation beyond the 200 nautical mile zone of the flag state after January 1, 1991, and which allow automatic, real-time monitoring of the location and identity of each vessel at all times while at sea.

Real-time vessel location and identification data and information from the satellite transmitters will be made available to the FAJ under contract with Argos. Based upon the information received from Argos, the FAJ will take immediate and appropriate action as required.

The FAJ authorizes Argos to make those data and information available to the appropriate Canadian and U.S. authorities under contract between Argos and these authorities. In this connection, it is confirmed that such access by those Canadian and U.S. authorities to the said data and information shall not be deemed to authorize in any way the Canadian and U.S. sides to be engaged in enforcement activities with respect to Japanese high seas driftnet fisheries. The Japanese side understands that raw transmitter data shall be kept confidential within these authorities.

VI.

Exchange of information on driftnet operations by the vessels of non-contracting parties to the INPFC

When Japanese patrol vessels have witnessed driftnet operations by the vessels of non-contracting parties to the INPFC which are deemed to be engaged in fishing for anadromous species, the Japanese side will continue to transmit the following information on those vessels to the Canadian and U.S. sides as quickly as possible.

All driftnet vessels of non-contracting parties to the INPFC sighted by the Japanese salmon fishery patrol vessels and those vessels of non-contracting parties to the INPFC sighted in operation in waters north of the northern boundary by the Japanese squid fishery patrol vessels will be reported. Information will include if available:

7.

activities, including description of fishing procedures, nature of catch, and estimated course and speed