The 200-Mile Exclusive Economic Zone: Death Knell for the American Tuna Industry

The tuna problem is global because it involves a highly migratory fish. Consequently, the community of nations must realize that world-wide cooperation is the only effective way to manage this valuable ocean resource. The United States Government must strive to disseminate an understanding of the uniqueness of the tuna fishery so as to gain affirmative commitments from other coastal States to defer to regional regulation of tuna fishing both within and beyond their exclusive economic zones. For only through recognition of the uniqueness of tuna as a highly migratory fish, application of global tuna conservation efforts, and strengthening of regional tuna regulatory organizations can both fish and fishermen survive.