CSMS Message: 96-000978

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : LEO WELLS

SUBJECT : OGA-SHRIMP EMBARGO

DATE : 11/08/96

6312111
NOVEMBER 8, 1996

RES-1-FO:TC:I:E LW

CATEGORY: RES

TO: ALL PORT AND AREA DIRECTORS OF CUSTOMS

FROM: DIRECTOR, TRADE COMPLIANCE DIVISION

RE: SHRIMP TRADE EMBARGO

PASS TO: ALL NATIONAL IMPORT SPECIALISTS, IMPORT SPECIALISTS,
ENTRY OFFICERS, IMPORTERS, FP AND F OFFICERS AND
IMPORTER AND BROKER ASSOCIATIONS

IN A RECENT LETTER TO CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS THE DEPARTMENT OF
STATE HAS INDICATED THAT ON NOVEMBER 8, 1996, THAT AGENCY
CERTIFIED TO CONGRESS THAT THAILAND HAS FULFILLED THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 609 OF PUBLIC LAW 101-162 BY ADOPTING
A SEA TURTLE PROTECTION PROGRAM IN CONNECTION WITH SHRIMP
HARVESTING THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THE PROGRAM IN THE UNITED
STATES. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS ACTION RESULTS IN THE LIFTING OF THE
SHRIMP EMBARGO AGAINST THAILAND. IN THIS REGARD, THE FOLLOWING
PROCEDURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.

ACTIONS:

1. CERTIFIED COUNTRIES LIST

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 8, 1996, THAILAND IS ADDED TO THE LIST OF
COUNTRIES CERTIFIED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT AS UTILIZING
AN ACCEPTABLE METHOD OF SHRIMP HARVESTING. OUR EMAIL OF MAY 1,
1996 (EMAIL MESSAGE 6121111) CITED 36 CERTIFIED COUNTRIES AS
OF THAT DATE. HONDURAS WAS LATER ADDED TO THIS LIST (SEE OUR
EMAIL MESSAGE 6288111 OF OCTOBER 15, 1996). THEREFORE, WE NOW
HAVE 38 CERTIFIED COUNTRIES UNDER THIS SHRIMP EMBARGO.

2. FILING OF SHRIMP DECLARATION FORM

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT FORM DSP-121 MUST STILL
BE ON FILE WITH THE IMPORTER PRIOR TO HIS SUBMISSION OF THE
CUSTOMS ENTRY FOR SHRIMP IMPORTS.

3. QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS ISSUANCE

QUESTIONS BY THE IMPORTING PUBLIC CONCERNING THIS ISSUANCE
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF
OCEANS AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS
AT (202) 647-2335/2337.

QUESTIONS BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO CUSTOMS
HEADQUARTERS, COMMERCIAL ENFORCEMENT, AT (202) 927-0771.

PHILIP METZGER