CAB129-36 — Page 319

Stewart Bates Canada).

German Baraibar (Spain).

Charles I. Bevans, Secretary.

The following technical committees were appointed under authorisation of unanimous votes of the Conference :-

Committee on Drafting

A. T. A. Dobson (United Kingdom), Chairman.

Stewart Bates (Canada).

B. Dinesen (Denmark).

Marius Terrin (France).

H. G. Andersen (Iceland).

Alberto Tarchiani (Italy).

Raymond Gushue (Newfoundland).

Klaus Sunnanaa (Norway).

Dr. Corrêa de Barros (Portugal). Germán Baráibar (Spain).

A. J. Aglen (United Kingdom).

Wilbert M. Chapman (United States).

Barbara S. Williams, Secretary.

Committee on Biology

A. W. H. Needler (Canada), Chairman.

· A. Vedel Täning (Denmark).

Paul Hansen (Denmark).

Jean Joseph Le Gall (France). Arni Fridriksson (Iceland). W. Templeman (Newfoundland). Gunnar Rollefsen (Norway). Alfredo M. Ramalho (Portugal). José Miguel Ruiz-Morales (Spain). Pedro Diaz de Espada (Spain). S. J. Holt (United Kingdom). C. E. Lucas (United Kingdom). R. S. Wimpenny (United Kingdom). Hilary J. Deason (United States). Milton C. James (United States).

Howard A. Schuck, Secretary.

The final session was held on 8th February 1949.

As a result of the deliberations of the Conference the International Con- vention for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) was formulated and opened for signature on 8th February, 1949, to remain open for signature for fourteen days thereafter.

The following resolutions and recommendations were adopted and the following statements were received :-

I

The International Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Conference resolves:

1. To express its gratitude to the President of the United States of Ameriege Harryf6Truman, for his initiative agonyeging the present Conference and for its preparation;

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2. To express to its Chairman, W. M. Chapman, and its Vice-Chairman, Klaus Sunnanaa, its deep appreciation for the admirable manner in which they have agde the fonterence and brought it to a sulagsfu2conclúx6o;

3. To express to the officers and staff of the Secretariat its appreciation for their untiring services and diligent efforts in contributing to the fruition of the purposes and objectives of the Conference.

II

The International Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Conference resolves:

That the Government of the United States of America be authorised to publish the Final Act of this Conference, the text of the Convention, and to make available for publication such additional documents in connection with the work of this Conference as in its judgment may be considered in the public interest.

III

The International Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Conference recommends:

That in establishing and maintaining the International Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Commission the Contracting Governments give careful consideration to the following conclusions reached at the Conference:-

1. Finance

The probable cost of the Commission during its first year would be in the region of 40,000 dollars.

This estimate is to some extent based upon the present expenditure incurred by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, but it must be recognised that the cost of that organisation cannot be used as an accurate guide to the possible cost of the new Commission on account of the rather specific and long-standing nature of its set-up. The precise amount would necessarily depend upon various considerations such as the location and cost of the office of the Commission for which certain facilities might be available either in the United States or in Canada.

2. Staff

(1) It is desirable that the Executive Secretary of the Commission should be a biologist. At the same time it is still more important that he should be a man with great administrative and statistical ability. It should also be understood that after the Commission had begun to function normally it would probably be necessary at an early date to increase the staff by the addition of, for example, a statistician.

(2) The responsibilities of the staff of the Commission shall be exclusively international in character and they shall not seek or receive instructions in regard to the discharge of their functions from any authority external to the Commission. The Contracting Governments should fully respect the international character of the responsibilities of the staff and not seek to influence any of their nationals in the discharge of such responsibilities.

3. Scientific Investigation

(1) In the field of scientific investigations the Commission should be primarily responsible for: (a) arrangement for and co-ordination of work by agencies, and (b) establishment of working relationships with inter- national agencies. It is important, for the purposes of the Convention, that enlarged and co-ordinated scientific investigations should be carried out and such investigations in so far as possible should be conducted by