36 Chapter 2
Committee, but the OAS agreed instead to hear the case. Ultimately, the United States
and Ecuador agreed to a resolution negotiated by Mexico, Argentina, and Guatemala
to resume the fishing talks from 1970. In total, Ecuador seized about 50 US boats and
imposed on them fines of $2.2 million in 1971.
Coding changes: End Date changed from January 16, 1971.
MID#602
Dispute Number: 602
Date(s): November 12, 1972 to November 22, 1972
Participants: 130 Ecuador/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In August 1972 the United States proposed selling Ecuador military hard-
ware and paying a fee in exchange for Ecuadorian fishing licenses. Ecuador agreed on
October 27. However, on November 12 the Ecuadorian navy seized eight American
fishing boats: the Nautilus, Freedom, Denise Marie, Gemini, Polaris, Sea Quest,
Trinidad, and Clipperton. Ecuador released the Freedom the next day when it deter-
mined the ship had permission to fish in Ecuador’s claimed zone, but it also seized
two additional vehicles, the Western King and the City of San Diego. On November
16 Ecuador released seven more boats after they paid about $550,000 in fines. On
November 22 Ecuador seized six more American tuna vessels: Pacific Trade Winds,
Ocean Queen, John F. Kennedy, Pacific Queen, Kerry M., and Venturous.
On December 7 the United Nations agreed to hold a conference on law of the sea
in November 1973 and January 1974, which would include discussion of the dispute
over fishing zones. Discussions in 1973 failed to achieve agreement, and though the
UN conference formally supported the 200-mile limit, there was no treaty.
MID#3105
Dispute Number: 3105
Date(s): October 1980 to January 18, 1981
Participants: 130 Ecuador/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Ecuador seized five American fishing vessels off its coast during the week of
October 25, 1980. The United States responded on November 6 by placing an embargo
on Ecuadorian tuna exports. Ecuador then seized another vessel in January 1981.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from October 25, 1980. End Date changed from
January 20, 1981.
2 United States of America/135 Peru
MID#1755
Dispute Number: 1755
Date(s): June 16, 1852 to August 25, 1852