TUNA FISH AGAIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86M00886R002000100054-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 29, 2009
• Sequence Number: 54
• Publication Date: July 19, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

r Approved For Release 2009/01/29 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002000100054-3
SECRET
The Director of Central Intelligence
Wuhinpm, D.C. 20505
NOTE FOR: DCI
FROM: Dave Gries
SUBJECT: Tuna fish again
NIC #04128-84
19 July 1984
A+~. F,41
You will recall that on 8 June one John M. Barbieri,
representing the tuna industry, called on you; at your request I sat
in. Barbieri's purpose was to solicit your support in lobbying the
Administration for temporary import relief.
Barbieri has just written a letter of thanks (attachment) and
asked me to solicit your support for legislative relief on a tariff
item. Since the letter does not require an answer, I propose to set
it aside. Barbieri's request has nothing to do with intelligence
and I doubt you would want to pursue it.
Attachment:
As stated
DCI/NIC/NIO/EA/DGRIES:em
DISTRIBUTION:
Orig - Addressee
1 - EX REG
1 - NIO/EA SUBJ
1 - NIO/EA CHRON
1 - DDCI
CL BY SIGNER
DECL OADR
 Approved For Release 2009/01/29 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002000100054-3
i JNAL
1 LI11W11j1\1 t r 1 J 4'L%L '1 111
John M. Barbieri
President
Mr. David Gries
National Intelligence Officer/East Asia
Room 7E47, CIA Headquarters
Washington, D.C. 20505
Executive Registry
84-
I apologize for the, delay in writing to thank you and Director
Casey for. meeting with August Felando and, myself on June 8th:
Since our meeting Mr.,:Felando has been in negotiations in New
Caledonia on a regional licensing agreement for American Tunaboat
Association vessels for 1985. I had been stricken with colitis
and am just now getting back; to normal.
We have also had a couple of boat'seizures around the Solomons.
There are those', who think 'that the: migration of our vessels away
from the "traditional' area" 3(i.e,,'the Eastern Tropical Pacific)
will solve the seizure pioblems,. They are only kidding them-
selves. While we have,', made many friends in the central and
western Pacific, the'seizures:ofthe Jeanette Diana and Cindy P
reinforce what we'former law of the'sea-types accept as a truism:
the worldwide; movementtoward,:en.losure of what had been known as
the high seas will; make it: very difficult for all distant water
fishing fleets ito' survive. !"The, problem is particularly acute for:.
the' U.S. tunaifleet(tlh'e 'only remaining U.S. distant water.
fishery). which is why. the, indu'stry fought so hard in Caracas; i
Geneva? and New 'York' to. exempt,' highly migratory species, such as
tuna, from coastal state jurisdiction. ; '.
The' next three months wi'll'determine the future of this fleet and,
notlrepeat'the points raised):by Mr. Felando last month, except to
sayiif our petition,.to,,the International Trade Commission fails,
and! if our. attethpt later this month to attain legislative relief
fails, we are,dead. Frankly, I am very nervous about the fate of
this' industry!being determined by political-whim.
I essentially want to point out two facts: first, the U.S. tuna
fleet has a historical interest in defense. During World War II,
following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the entire fleet was
requisitioned by the U.S...Navy and served as our coast guard.
Some vessels were actually used during military operations on the
Pac
 Mr. David Gries July 2, 1984
Secondly, a recent National Academy of Sciences study ("Defense
Utility of Commercial Vessels and Craft," 1982) verified the
defense capabilities of the modern purse seine fleet.- The study
revealed that the fleet was rated very high for use in Intra-
Theatre Shipping, Search and Rescue,. and Port Operations.
Furthermore, the larger vessels (those of 1,200-1,600 ton capa-
city) can, with minor modification, be retrofitted for use in
combat. Many of these vessels are equipped with helicopters (to
spot tuna) which give the fleet a capability unique to world
fishing fleets.
I also believe we should not. understate the significance of
"showing the flag", in an area where there is little U.S. commer-
cial or military presence.
We do not know what, if anything, you or. the Director can do to
ensure the survival of the U. S'..'tuna' industry.. ! "I', see two ways to
help, if you agree it is in'the national interest-to do so.
First, if the ITC rules favorably onthe`'industry petition for
temporary import relief, 'the' President' will, accept, reject, or
modify the ITC recommendation. The President has been aboard a
few tuna seiners in his day:, and we think he would be interested
in the unmentioned defense aspects of?our business.
Secondly, beginning?'July 23rd ,.(when the ..Senate reconvenes),
Senators Ted Stevens and Pete Wilson will' be pushing for imme-
diate legislative relief to correct the anomaly;'in the current
tariff structure affecting canned tuna imports.' We need the
Administration's support in these efforts.
Our feeling is that there are plenty oft good, reasons to support
the industry, position.; For obvious reasons,; we never. discuss the
aforementioned. Nor have we dischssd, .:with anyone our meeting
with your I i ?;
Thank you again.:'.I hope: you :have not minded me sharing these
thoughts; with you.. Let me know:af you have any-questions.
With kindest regards.
a
JMB/ml
P.'S. I am enclosing ,the testimony Pete Wilson 'gave ; at' last
cc: August Felando (Confidential)