*EPF507 07/13/01
Text: State Dept. Questions Indonesian Shrimp Harvesting Methods
(Bans shrimp imports temporarily to protect sea turtles) (470)

Certain commercial fishery methods used by Indonesian fishermen in harvesting shrimp may be harmful to sea turtles, according to a July 11 State Department news release.

The State Department noted that P.L. 101-162 (Section 609) prohibits the importation of shrimp harvested in ways harmful to sea turtles unless the State Department certifies the harvesting nation "either has a sea turtle protection program comparable to that of the United States, or has a fishing environment that does not pose a threat to sea turtles."

The State Department, which came to its determination July 9, plans to send a team of experts to Indonesia "to work with fisheries and law enforcement officials and to assess steps taken by the Government of Indonesia to enforce its requirements to protect sea turtles in the course of shrimp harvesting."

Following is the text of the State Department news release:

(begin text)

PRESS STATEMENT

Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 11, 2001

Sea Turtle Conservation and Shrimp Imports

On July 9, 2001, the Department of State determined that Indonesia no longer meets the requirements set by Section 609 of P.L. 101-162 related to the protection of sea turtles in the course of commercial shrimp harvesting. As a result of this determination, importation of shrimp harvested in Indonesia with commercial fishing technology that may adversely affect endangered sea turtles will be prohibited. However, imports of shrimp harvested in Indonesia by other means, including by aquaculture and with artisanal methods, may continue.

In making this determination, the Department expressed the hope that the import prohibition will be a brief measure. The Department will work closely with the Government of Indonesia in the coming weeks to address concerns that led to this determination. In particular, the Department intends in the near future to send a team of experts to Indonesia to work with fisheries and law enforcement officials and to assess steps taken by the Government of Indonesia to enforce its requirements to protect sea turtles in the course of shrimp harvesting.

P.L. 101-162 (Section 609) prohibits the importation of shrimp harvested in ways harmful to sea turtles unless the Department of State certifies that the harvesting nation either has a sea turtle protection program comparable to that of the United States, or has a fishing environment that does not pose a threat to sea turtles.

The chief component of the U.S. sea turtle conservation program is a requirement that commercial shrimp boats use sea turtle excluder devices (TEDs) to prevent the accidental drowning of sea turtles in shrimp trawls.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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