811.015/6–1945
The Cuban Chargé (Barón) to Mr.
Eugene H. Dooman, Special Assistant to the
Assistant Secretary of State (Dunn)
Washington, June 19,
1945.
My Dear Mr. Dooman: I refer to my letter of May
22,55 regarding the “proposed decision with respect
to fisheries in certain areas of the high seas” and have the pleasure of
enclosing herewith the opinion of the Cuban Government, which I have just
received from the Ministry of State in Havana.
As you will see, my Government is willing to accept the proposed decision on
fisheries put forward by the Government of the United [Page 1514] States in order to preserve and protect
the fishing resources along its coast.
Yours sincerely,
[Enclosure]
Opinion of the Government of Cuba With Reference to
the Proposed Decisions Outlined by the Government of the United
States Relating to Fishing
- “First: the Government of Cuba accepts
in all respects the proposed decisions which should be adopted
with reference to fisheries in certain areas of the high seas,
cooperating in all of them with the
Government of the United States in order to preserve and protect
the fishing resources and internal security of those along her
coasts.
- “Second: understands that in
establishing the conservation zones explicitly set aside through
agreements between States, the Fishery Department should be
counted upon, acting jointly with a Nautical Officer of the
National Navy, to propose the parallels or boundaries which
should be set for same when placed under regulation.
- “Third: also believes that the
Government of the United States, when establishing its zones of
protection and conservation in those areas of the high seas
contiguous to her coasts, should take into consideration the
historical fact firmly established by fishers in boats under the
Cuban flag, who from time immemorial, and now under the
protection of Article 6 of the General Fishing Law, and 17 of
the Regulations for its execution, obtain products of their
fisheries outside of our waters, working with soundings, and who
extend their fishing trips to the coast of the Gulf from Cape
Romano to Cape San Bias within territory of the United States,
including the Dry Tortugas, at a distance varying between 10 and
20 miles from the Southern Coast of the State of Florida; as
well as between Cabo Catoche and Islas Mujeres in Mexican
Territory.”
