[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1742-H1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RESPECT TO SIGNIFICANCE OF 
       MAINTAINING HEALTH AND STABILITY OF CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H.Con. Res. 8) expressing the sense of Congress 
with respect to the significance of maintaining the health and 
stability of coral reef ecosystems, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H. Con. Res. 8

       Whereas coral reefs are among the world's most biologically 
     diverse and productive marine habitats, and are often 
     described as the tropical rain forests of the oceans;
       Whereas healthy coral reefs provide the basis for 
     subsistence, commercial fisheries, and coastal and marine 
     tourism and are of vital economic importance to coastal 
     States and territories of the United States including 
     Florida, Hawaii, Georgia, Texas, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
     Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands;
       Whereas healthy coral reefs function as natural, 
     regenerating coastal barriers, protecting shorelines and 
     coastal areas from high waves, storm surges, and accompanying 
     losses of human life and property;
       Whereas the scientific community has long established that 
     coral reefs are subject to a wide range of natural and 
     anthropogenic threats;
       Whereas the United States has taken measures to protect 
     national coral reef resources through the designation and 
     management of several marine protected areas, containing 
     reefs of the Flower Garden Banks in the Gulf of Mexico, the 
     Florida Keys in south Florida, and offshore Hawaii, Puerto 
     Rico, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa;
       Whereas the United States, acting through its agencies, has 
     established itself as a global leader in coral reef 
     stewardship by launching the International Coral Reef 
     Initiative and by maintaining professional networks for the 
     purposes of sharing knowledge and information on coral reefs, 
     furnishing near real-time data collected at coral reef sites, 
     providing a repository for historical data relating to coral 
     reefs, and making substantial contributions to the general 
     fund of coral reef knowledge; and
       Whereas 1997 has been declared the ``International Year of 
     the Reef'' by the coral reef research community and over 40 
     national and international scientific, conservation, and 
     academic organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress recognizes the significance of 
     maintaining the health and stability of coral reef 
     ecosystems, by--
       (1) promoting comprehensive stewardship for coral reef 
     ecosystems;
       (2) encouraging research, monitoring, and assessment of and 
     education on coral reef ecosystems; and
       (3) improving the coordination of coral reef efforts and 
     activities of Federal agencies, academic institutions, 
     nongovernmental organizations, and industry.


[[Page H1743]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton].
  (Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the scheduling of House Concurrent 
Resolution 8, the coral reef protection resolution of 1997, for 
consideration this afternoon.
  Mr. Speaker, with the able help of my comrade in arms, the gentleman 
from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie], I introduced this resolution in early 
January.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to their colorful beauty and ecological 
significance, healthy coral reefs provide numerous economic benefits to 
the United States and our territories. They support commercial and 
recreational fisheries, they are tourist attractions; they provide us 
with biomedicines and serve as natural protection for our coastlines. 
However, coral reefs are in a state of decline, not only in United 
States waters but worldwide. Without proper understanding of what is 
causing this degradation, it is difficult to determine how best to 
combat or reverse it.
  To this end, House Concurrent Resolution 8 makes a clear and forceful 
statement in support of further research, monitoring, and education 
with regard to coral reefs. It also encourages cooperation and 
coordination among U.S. agencies, academic institutions, 
nongovernmental organizations and industry that are involved in 
research on reef management and conservation activities.
  Finally, this legislation honors the fact that in 1997, it has been 
declared the Year of the International Reef by a global community of 
coral reef scientists, conservationists, and natural resource managers. 
Through the successful passage of this resolution, Congress will join 
this effort in promoting understanding and awareness of coral reef 
ecosystems. Congressional support for this resolution is bipartisan, 
coming from 40 Members who represent both coastal and noncoastal 
districts. Along with other positive environmental legislation that 
will be considered by Congress this year, this deserves our favorable 
consideration.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton], 
in his usual manner, has stated the case very well for the 
International Year of the Reef. I would like to just simply state for 
the record and for the benefit of the Members who may not be fully 
aware of the items contained in the resolution, that this sense of the 
Congress statement is aimed at maintaining the health and stability of 
coral reef ecosystems.
  We intend to do that by promoting comprehensive stewardship for coral 
reef systems, for encouraging research, monitoring, and assessment of 
and education on coral reef ecosystems, and approving the coordination 
of the coral reef efforts and activities of Federal agencies, academic 
institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and industry.
  Mr. Speaker, this is truly a public-private partnership which will 
have benefits not only for the reef systems themselves, but for all the 
people on the planet with respect to continued recognition of our 
dependency on one another.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise as one of the cosponsors of 
House Concurrent Resolution 8, which expresses the sense of Congress 
regarding the importance of maintaining the health and stability of our 
coral reef ecosystems. This resolution is particularly appropriate as 
we celebrate the International Year of the Reef in 1997.
  Coral reefs, both in U.S. and international waters, face dire threats 
to basic functions needed to maintain them as natural and stable reef 
ecosystems. Pollution from chemicals and human waste disrupt normal 
behaviors of organisms making up coral communities in reefs. 
Overfishing disturbs the precarious balance in marine ecosystems of 
which coral reefs are an integral part. Overuse by industries using 
coral products in their processing and merchandise destroy and damage 
sections of the reef, as does indifference and careless handling of the 
reef during activities such as water recreation and fishing.
  Statistics about the destruction of the world's coral reefs cited by 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] should be of 
great concern. NOAA estimates that about two-thirds of coral reefs 
globally are dying, with 10 percent degraded beyond recovery, 30 
percent in critical condition and predicted to die in the next 10 to 20 
years, and another 30 percent forecasted to perish by 2050.
  In the Central Pacific Ocean region, nuclear testing and military 
base construction at Enewetak and Bikini in the Marshall Islands, and 
military construction and warfare at Ulithi, Kanton, Palmyra, Wake, 
Tarawa, Chuuk, Kwajalein, Mili, Jaluit, Johnston, and Funafuti 
permanently damaged coral reefs, or left them in the condition to 
warrant longterm recovery, according to the University of Hawaii Sea 
Grant College Program. Additional reports have included evidence of 
reef degradation by illegal or destructive harvesting of reef 
resources, which has also led to depletion of giant clams, sharks, 
other finish, dugongs, crocodiles, sea turtles, coconut crabs, 
lobsters, and other shellfish coexisting with reef ecosystems.
  Mitigation of threats to coral reefs are especially critical to my 
State of Hawaii, which is home to some of the most exquisite reefs in 
the world. Reef health is vital to Hawaii's mutlimillion dollar tourism 
industry, and some efforts to practice ecotourism have been implemented 
by the industry. However, reef conditions around the islands need much 
more attention if they are to improve. For example, reefs around the 
island of Maui are being endangered by shoreline development and human 
pressures--anchoring, pollution from boats and water users, and fishing 
exercises--as well as fish feeding, according to the coral reef 
research study administered by the Pacific Whale Foundation and funded 
by Earthwatch annually since 1989.
  During the International Year of the Reef, we must make conscientious 
efforts toward preservation of our coral reefs. Extensive stewardship 
of and research and education about coral reefs by government agencies, 
nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, industry, and our 
own communities is necessary to save our beautiful reefs.
   I strongly urge my colleagues to add their support to House 
Concurrent Resolution 8 and vote to pass this significant resolution.
  Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding 
time to me and ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 8 and I ask my colleagues to join with me and the proponents 
of this resolution in expressing the sense of Congress of the 
significance of maintaining the health and stability of coral reef 
ecosystems. I want to also commend my colleagues on the Resources 
Committee, the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, Mr. Saxton and Mr. Abercrombie for 
their leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor today.
  House Concurrent Resolution 8 recognizes that our country has taken 
certain measures to protect national coral reefs through the 
designation and management of several underwater national parks. One 
such national coral reef site is the Buck Island National Monument 
situated off the northeast coast of St. Croix in my district, the U.S. 
Virgin Islands.
  Buck Island Reef National Monument was established in 1961 through a 
proclamation issued by President Kennedy to preserve ``one of the 
finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea''. Since that time, this and 
other local reef systems have been struggling against the onslaught of 
several major hurricanes, nonpoint source pollution and other damaging 
influences. To determine the present and future health of one the 
Caribbean's most significant coral reef ecosystems the National Park 
Service has established a research/monitoring program at Buck Island. 
Since the inception of the monitoring program, over 350 individual 
coral colonies have been tagged and are being monitored.
  This past weekend I had the opportunity, along with two of my 
colleagues, to visit the Buck Island National Monument and can report 
firsthand of the magnificence of this priceless resource and of the 
healthy signs of recovery of the corals following the damage to them by 
the recurring hurricanes. I want to thank National Park Service 
Biological Technician Zandy-Marie Starr for her assistance in helping 
us understanding the unique features of the Buck Island Reef National 
Monument.
  Mr. Speaker, 1997 has been declared the International Year of the 
Reef by the coral reef

[[Page H1744]]

research community and over 40 national and international scientific, 
conservation, and academic organizations. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in expressing our support for the preservation of coral reefs by 
voting ``yes'' on House Concurrent Resolution 8. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 8, the Coral Reef Protection Resolution of 1997.
  Interestingly enough, Alaska has the distinction of being the 
northernmost point in the Pacific which supports coral growth. A 
variety of corals live in the Gulf of Alaska, along the Aleutian chain, 
and in the Bering Sea. However, due to cold water temperatures, these 
corals are unable to create extensive reef structures.
  House Concurrent Resolution 8 is noncontroversial and has broad 
bipartisan support. It deserves favorable consideration in both 
Chambers of Congress, and I urge you to vote ``aye'' on this important 
measure.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased that we are 
considering House Concurrent Resolution 8 today. The global crisis in 
coral reef health is an important issue that has received little recent 
attention in Congress. I commend the Fisheries Subcommittee Chairman, 
Mr. Saxton, for introducing the resolution, of which I am an original 
cosponsor.
  Coral reefs are one of nature's wonders. While they provide important 
physical habitat for ecologically and economically important species, 
the reef itself is also a living structure. And, as a living structure, 
thousands--perhaps millions--of individual coral animals are dying and 
others are taking their place on the reef at any one time.
  The problem is that now human activities have shifted that balance 
and coral reefs are dying off at an alarming rate worldwide. Corals are 
very sensitive to water pollution, sedimentation, damage from boat 
groundings, and even simple physical contact by divers. Coral reefs 
are, in a sense, the canary in the coal mine of the oceans.
  A great deal of injury is being inflicted on coral reefs, mainly in 
southeast Asia, through easily preventable, largely illegal fishing 
techniques. Cyanide and other poisons are being used to stun and 
capture fish for the aquarium trade and for the live food fish trade. 
These chemicals kill nearby coral, and divers scrambling to get fish 
out of nooks and crannies in the reef often inflict further damage on 
the reef.
  Most of the aquarium fish captured in this way end up in hobbyists' 
tanks in the United States. So this is not just a foreign problem; we 
have to take some responsibility for our consumer actions that are 
driving these practices.
  I have introduced legislation myself, House Resolution 87, to address 
the specific problem of unsustainable coral reef fisheries. I 
understand that the Fisheries Subcommittee will hold a hearing on that 
resolution next month, and I hope that it will be marked up shortly 
thereafter.
  Both of these resolutions share a common purpose. They are intended 
to bring the global plight of coral reefs before Congress, raise the 
level of awareness of policy makers, and ask us to do more. The 
scientific and environmental communities have declared 1997 the 
International Year of the Reef. What better time for us to pay 
attention to the many problems plaguing coral reefs, and seek practical 
solutions to those threats? If we don't do something soon, there may 
not be any reefs left to save.
  I urge the House to support the resolution and I hope we will 
continue in the coming months to take action to address the coral reef 
crisis.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong 
support for House Concurrent Resolution 8, the Protect Coral Reef 
Ecosystems resolution.
  I am particularly moved to speak on this subject because, my State, 
Florida, is the only State in the continental United States with 
natural coral reef communities.
  This resolution seeks to preserve this natural marine resource by 
providing comprehensive protection from natural and manmade 
destruction.
  This measure articulates Congress' recognition of the importance of 
maintaining the health and stability of coral reef ecosystems.
  The bill also encourages research, education, and management efforts 
by Federal agencies, academic institutions, nongovernmental 
organizations, and private industry to further this effort.
  Although most people know that coral reefs are one of our most 
precious and fragile marine resources, the benefits derived from coral 
reefs are probably less known.
  Coral reefs are valuable sources of biomedical chemicals. The use of 
coral reefs as a source of new chemicals for anticancer treatments is 
especially promising.
  The life of coral reefs are at once fragile and dynamic. It takes 100 
years to grow one inch of coral reef--and decades to rehabilitate 
damaged reefs. This kind of sustained instability is further 
justification for strong protective measures.
  We are now certain that the loss of these natural wonders has 
implications for other organisms. Without coral reefs, many lesser 
organisms would disappear. Likewise the abundance of other valuable 
marine species would also be substantially affected.
  The world's coral reefs are subject to a myriad of threats including 
natural damage caused by humans and extreme weather conditions, as well 
as damage resulting from tourism activities, commercial harvests, 
vessel groundings, and pollution.
  Even though underwater national parks have been established by 
Congress in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys, it is still 
critical that we move decisively to protect this vital natural 
resource.
  The protection of coral reefs is good for tourism, biomedical 
research, pharmaceutical production, and good for the future of our 
children.
  I urge support for this measure.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 8, 
as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read: 
``Concurrent resolution recognizing the significance of maintaining the 
health and stability of coral reef ecosystems.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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