812.628/1–3147
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Mexico
No. 1030
The Acting Secretary of State refers to the Embassy’s despatch no. 2719 of January 31, 19474 transmitting a memorandum of observations of the Mexican Government5 on the United States proposals for a fisheries treaty between the United States and Mexico.6 Reference is also made to subsequent communications on this matter.
The Department is now studying the suggestions contained in the Mexican memorandum. As one phase of this study, and in view of the Mexican suggestion that the proposed treaty include fisheries of both the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts, it was considered advisable to consult informally with fishery conservation officials and representatives of the fishing industry of the several Gulf Coast states. Accordingly, officers of the Department and of the Fish and Wildlife service of the Department of the Interior met in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 3 to 5, 1947 with such officials and representatives.
[Page 803]While several questions, such as the possibility of imposing a tariff or quota on the importation of Mexican shrimp into the United States, appeared to overshadow interest in a fisheries treaty with Mexico, representatives of the industry made helpful statements and suggestions and contributed information which will be useful in relation to the proposed fisheries treaty with Mexico. There appeared to be general agreement that it would be desirable to conclude a treaty establishing a well-defined line between Mexican territorial waters and the high seas areas in which United States industry could operate freely.
[Here follow data on the possibility of Cuban participation in negotiations.]
In considering the suggestion that a single fisheries treaty with Mexico should include the fisheries of both the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts, the Department recognizes that such a treaty might require a somewhat longer period of time for negotiation than would a treaty covering only the Pacific coast area. However, in view of recent developments, careful consideration is being given to the Mexican suggestion with respect to the area which might be included in the treaty. It is hoped that, prior to consulting the Cuban Government on aspects of the proposed treaty which may be of interest to that country, the United States and Mexico may reach substantial agreement on all other phases of the matter.
The Department is assembling pertinent information and views on the Mexican memorandum under reference and will communicate further with the Embassy on this matter at as early a date as practicable.
It appears appropriate for the Embassy to acknowledge by note, if it has not done so, the Mexican memorandum of January 27, 1947, indicating at the same time that the matter is under study by this Government and that, at a later date, a further communication will be forwarded to the Mexican Government. At the time of presenting such note to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Relations, or at some other appropriate time, the Embassy should, in its discretion, indicate informally that this Government has received information relative to rumors among the fishing industry of this country to the effect that the Mexican authorities might increase the fees applicable to foreign fishing vessels. The Embassy might indicate in this connection that this Government understands that the informal agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Relations that no changes would be made in fees during the negotiation of the pending fisheries treaty is applicable until the United States has had a reasonable period of time in which to reply to the suggestions contained in the Mexican memorandum of January 27, 1947.