[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 82 (Friday, June 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            AMENDING THE FISHERMEN'S PROTECTIVE ACT OF 1967

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, last week Canada began collecting 
an $1,100 fee from United States fishing boats sailing each way through 
Canadian waters between Alaska and Washington State. The Canadian 
action was precipitated by a breakdown in the negotiations with the 
United States over the Pacific Salmon Treaty. So far, about 200 boats 
have been forced to pay the Canadian fee.
  Senator Stevens and I have both already introduced bills to respond 
to the fee problem by reimbursing the owners of the boats through the 
Fishermen's Protective Act. Since that time, we have worked together to 
refine our bills into this legislation to provide relief to these 
fishermen as quickly as possible. As I just mentioned, this bill is a 
bipartisan effort between the Senators from the Pacific Northwest, 
Alaska, and the administration. At a meeting today, the National 
Security Council affirmed their support for financial reimbursement to 
boat owners through the Fishermen's Protective Act. I have worked 
closely with the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that they 
had no objections to this bill.
  Yesterday, Vice President Gore met with Canadian Ambassador Chretien 
about restarting the stalled negotiations over the Pacific Salmon 
Treaty. The Vice President promised to continue to be personally 
involved in these important negotiations. The Canadian Ambassador said 
that he felt that the elevation of these negotiations is a very 
positive sign. I hope that the Government of Canada responds quickly to 
this new commitment by the administration.

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