[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 165 (Tuesday, October 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT AMENDMENTS OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. JENNIFER DUNN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 18, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 39) to amend 
     the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to 
     improve fisheries management with Mr. Bunning (Chairman pro 
     tempore) in the chair.

  Ms. DUNN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
amendment offered by the gentleman from Washington State. While the 
amendment is narrow in nature, it addresses one of the most important 
developments in fishery management in the last decade.
  The Individual Fishing Quota [IFQ] system that is being used by the 
halibut and sablefish fisheries did not come about overnight, it took 
many years. The real challenge of fishing management has been to 
conserve limited resources in the face of large fishing fleets and 
improved fishing gear.
  To prevent overfishing of the halibut resource, Federal officials 
began cutting back on fishing times. A season that started at 6 months 
in the 1980's was reduced to 4 and then to 2 and finally down to two 
24-hour openings a year. These so-called derby days created misery and 
havoc in the overcapitalized fishery. The same situation was developing 
for the sablefish fisheries. When you have 2 days to fish you end up 
going to sea no matter what the conditions--or starve. Fishermen were 
working in a ``damned if you do, damned if you don't'' environment.
  An example of this was the September 1994 opening. In the Yakutat 
fishing grounds near Petersburg, AK, a storm system that was an 
offshoot of a typhoon was just beginning to hit when the fishery 
opened. By the time the 48-hour opening was over, four boats had gone 
down, one of them taking the skipper with it.
  With the introduction of IFQ's, halibut fishermen do not have to risk 
their lives deciding between fishing and typhoons and there are other 
major benefits. They will be able to schedule their trips to optimize 
the markets, eliminate conflicts with other fisheries, and could 
possibly reduce their bycatch.
  Investigation of alternative management regimes began in the late 
1970's and continued throughout the 1980's. In a series of public 
meetings and workshops, fishermen, market experts, and other members of 
the industry and public made suggestions, and systems from around the 
world including transferable quota programs were analyzed. Finally, in 
1991, after closely reviewing open access fisheries, license 
limitations, allotments, and combinations of these programs, the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the IFQ program to the 
Secretary of Commerce. After public comments on a proposed rule, the 
final rule was published in 1993. The program was finally implemented 
this year.
  The IFQ program is new to Alaska. It is new to the halibut and 
sablefish fisheries and new to the fishermen and women who make their 
living from these resources. With any new idea there is growth and 
change as the concepts are discussed by regional councils, fishermen, 
processors, biologists, and enforcement personnel. The program is ``in 
progress'' and cooperation is needed from everyone involved for this 
program to be successful.
  The new management regime is bringing increased safety, protection of 
the target species, while encouraging the conservation of these stocks 
for the benefit of the present and future generations.
  And for all of these reasons Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
Metcalf amendment to ensure the continuation of the Individual Fishing 
Quota program.

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