**United States-Chile Fisheries Cooperation Program**

**[Basic Instrument]{.underline}**

The basic instrument establishing the United States-Chile Cooperation
Program is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. National
Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) and the Chilean
Servicio Nacional de Pesca (SERNAPESCA) signed in 1995 and extended in
2004.

**[Implementing Legislation]{.underline}**

Two laws provide the legal authority for the Cooperation Program. The
Magnuson Fishery Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 1822(a) authorizes the
Secretary of State to negotiate international fishery agreements.
Another law, 16 U.S.C. 1855(d), authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to
promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the Magnuson Act.

**[Member Nations]{.underline}**

The United States and Chile

**[Budget]{.underline}**

There are no funds specifically budgeted for the program; costs are
assumed in the operating budgets of the participating NOAA Fisheries
Service offices. Annual expenditures for the program including staff
time, travel, translation services, and miscellaneous expenses total
about \$50,000 annually.

**[Representation]{.underline}**

The meetings are coordinated by NOAA Fisheries Service and SERNAPESCA.
Both agencies often invite other agencies to participate in the
meetings. NOAA Fisheries Service has invited representatives from other
NOAA line offices, the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Coast Guard,
and the State Department. SERNAPESCA routinely invites other units of
the Ministerio de Economía (the Subsecretaría de Pesca and the Instituto
de Fomento Pesquero) as well as industry representatives. SERNAPESCA has
also invited representatives of the Chilean Navy and Ministerio de
Relaciones Exteriores (Foreign Ministry) to attend some sessions.

**[Description]{.underline}**

A. Mission/Purpose:

The participants have agreed to periodically review the United
States-Chilean fisheries relationship. The resulting Fishery Cooperation
Talks (FCT) provide a forum for U.S. and Chilean fishery officials to
review fishery issues of mutual concern. Formal and informal sessions
provide opportunities to exchange information and discuss major issues,
resulting in a frank exchange of views and information.

B. Programs:

NOAA Fisheries and SERNAPESCA agreed to hold annual meetings during the
first few years of the cooperative program. The two Parties now intend
to meet every 18-24 months. Recent meetings have included discussions on
management, enforcement, recreational fisheries, marine mammals and
endangered species, research, environment, aquaculture, and information
exchange. The meetings help to inform participants of national programs
affecting the other country.

C. Conservation and Management Measures:

Conservation and management issues are generally the major topics
discussed at the meetings. The protection of marine mammals was
initially the primary focus of the meetings and continues to be an
important element. NOAA Fisheries Service has additionally raised some
concerns about Pacific sea turtles, especially leatherbacks. Other
important conservation and management issues discussed include
enforcement, management strategies and systems, and recreational
fishing. Discussions on these issues as well as information exchanges
and visits have enabled NOAA Fisheries and Chilean fishery agencies to
exchange ideas and experiences in formulating domestic policies as well
as to work further on species of mutual interest.

D. 2006 Meeting:

The Eighth Session of the U.S.-Chile Fisheries Cooperation Talks was
convened on January 24-26, 2006, in Punta Arenas, Chile. The head of the
U.S. delegation was Rebecca Lent, Ph.D., Director, Office of
International Affairs. The discussion focused on areas of cooperation
pursuant to the U.S.-Chile Memorandum of Understanding: sea turtles,
CITES, marine mammals, seabirds, swordfish, coastal pelagics,
aquaculture, and assorted international issues (FAO, HSTF/MCS, UN, new
South Pacific non-tuna RFMO). The United States delegation was very
impressed with Chile's progress on a number of marine issues.

**[Future Meetings]{.underline}**

The United States will host the next meeting at a time to be determined.

**[Staff Contact]{.underline}**

[NOAA Fisheries]{.underline}:

International Fisheries Affairs Division

Office of International Affairs (F/IA)

National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

1315 East-West Hwy, Room 12643

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: (301) 713-2276

Fax: (301) 713-2313