[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 108 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5836-H5838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ACTS OF ILLEGAL AGGRESSION BY 
       CANADIAN FISHERMEN WITH RESPECT TO PACIFIC SALMON FISHERY

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 124), expressing the sense of the 
Congress regarding acts of illegal aggression by Canadian fishermen 
with respect to the Pacific salmon fishery, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 124

       Whereas Pacific salmon migrate across international 
     boundaries, allowing United States salmon stocks and Canadian 
     salmon stocks to intermingle as they travel through the 
     waters of the North Pacific Ocean;
       Whereas after many years of negotiations, in 1985 the 
     United States and Canada signed the Pacific Salmon Treaty 
     based on a primary principle of conservation and a secondary 
     principle of equity;
       Whereas the United States and Canada formed the Pacific 
     Salmon Commission to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty;
       Whereas the Pacific Salmon Commission does not regulate the 
     Pacific salmon fishery, but provides regulatory advice and 
     recommendations to the United States and Canada;
       Whereas since the signing of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the 
     United States and Canada have not agreed on the definition of 
     ``equity'' for purposes of the principle of equity underlying 
     the Treaty, and this disagreement has created a rift between 
     the 2 governments and the regional stakeholders of the 
     Pacific salmon fishery;
       Whereas Pacific salmon fishery regulatory regimes have not 
     been in place since 1994 because of a lack of agreement;
       Whereas an illegal fee in violation of international 
     agreements was assessed on the United States fishermen 
     traveling to Alaska, and neither the United States Government 
     nor United States fishermen have been reimbursed for that 
     fee;
       Whereas since 1994, the United States and Canada have used 
     special negotiators, a mediation process, and the current 
     stakeholders process to attempt to resolve past disputes and 
     negotiate annual and long-term Pacific salmon fishery 
     regimes;
       Whereas the good faith efforts of the United States in 
     attempting to resolve differences under the Pacific Salmon 
     Treaty have not been matched, as demonstrated in particular 
     by the rejection of continued attempts by the United States 
     to reach agreement and the withdrawal from negotiations in 
     June 1997 when an agreement seemed imminent;
       Whereas Canadian fishermen have been frustrated with their 
     own government's effort to resolve the Pacific Salmon Treaty 
     disputes and have used the harassment of United States 
     citizens as a way to get attention;
       Whereas Canadian fishermen, in protest over the lack of an 
     agreement regarding various issues under the Pacific Salmon 
     Treaty, recently undertook acts of illegal aggression against 
     United States citizens by blocking the passage of a United 
     States vessel, and there was a failure to act quickly to end 
     those acts; and
       Whereas those acts and that failure should be condemned: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--
       (1) the recent acts of illegal aggression by Canadian 
     fishermen with respect to the Pacific salmon fishery and the 
     slow response to those acts should be condemned;
       (2) the President should immediately take steps to protect 
     the interests of the United States with respect to the 
     Pacific salmon fishery and should not tolerate threats to 
     those interests;
       (3) the President should use all necessary and appropriate 
     means to prevent any further illegal or harassing actions 
     against the United States or its fishermen with respect to 
     the Pacific salmon fishery; and
       (4) negotiations with the stakeholders with respect to the 
     Pacific salmon fishery should resume in good faith in the 
     fall following the 1997 fishing season.

  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].

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 124 is introduced in 
response to illegal actions taken by Canadian fishermen on the weekend 
of July 19, 1997. Two hundred and fifty Canadian fishermen illegally 
blockaded an Alaskan ferryboat leaving from Prince Rupert, British 
Columbia. By taking these actions, Canada has escalated the Pacific 
salmon treaty negotiations beyond the scope of the treaty.
  The gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young], the chairman of the Committee 
on Resources, has referred to the blockade as goon squad tactics. While 
I do not go quite that far, I find the blockade very unfortunate and 
very disruptive to negotiations, negotiations which are extremely 
important to another species, several species actually, of the 
Northwest salmon population.
  House Concurrent Resolution 124 asks the President to use all 
necessary and appropriate means to compel the Government of Canada to 
prevent any further illegal actions. In addition, the resolution urges 
Canada to return to the negotiations this fall after the fishing season 
has ended. I would also like to urge Canada to return to the 
negotiations without further incidents.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an extremely important matter. It affects the 
livelihood and the lives of American citizens, many of whom live in the 
State of Alaska. It is also important because this House, along with 
the other House and our Government, and I am sure the Canadian 
Government as well, would like to take appropriate and necessary steps 
to provide for the rebuilding of salmon stock in the Northwest. This 
incident that occurred just a few days ago stands in the way of that 
process. We believe that it should be brought to a hasty end.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 124 was originally referred 
to the Committee on Resources and the Committee on International 
Relations. The version we are taking up today under the suspension of 
the rules has been

[[Page H5837]]

modified to address concerns raised by the Committee on International 
Relations and is now referred solely to the Committee on Resources. I 
urge my colleagues to support this timely and much needed resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Saxton] has referred to the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young], our 
great chairman, and in the context of his remarks quoted one or two of 
them from the gentleman from Alaska.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure it is known that the gentleman from Alaska 
[Mr. Young] has a well-deserved reputation for being blunt and direct. 
It remains for the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and myself to 
take up the diplomatic mantle with respect to our committee and those 
elements expressed to us by the Committee on International Relations.
  May I say in any context, Mr. Speaker, that the Canadian Government 
is indeed fortunate that the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young] is in 
the process of recuperating and recovering from a recent operation, and 
I am sure all Members join with me in wishing the gentleman from Alaska 
a speedy recovery and a quick return to us here in the Congress. We 
need his leadership. We need his dynamism here.
  In this particular instance, Mr. Speaker, the long-running debate 
over the Pacific salmon treaty has been contentious without a doubt. 
But both the United States and Canada share responsibility for the 
continuing impasse. As such, the recent blockade of an Alaskan 
ferryboat, as referred to by the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Saxton], by Canadian fishermen was not only illegal, it was 
counterproductive to the ongoing negotiations.
  This resolution condemns the actions of the Canadians, but, more 
importantly, it urges them to return to the bargaining table that they 
abandoned this past June. Proper conservation and management of the 
Pacific salmon is more important to both the United States and Canada 
than confrontation. We cannot reach a meaningful agreement unless both 
sides are willing to come to the table and negotiate in good faith.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to close by saying that on the 
domestic side in the United States and on the Canadian side in Canada, 
it is extremely important that we reach agreement internally in this 
country as well as in Canada and between our two countries on a plan 
that will reverse the decline in the population of the Northwest 
Pacific salmon. We are working diligently with Members from four 
northwestern States to try to arrive at an American plan. We are 
working with the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young] because a very 
important part of the salmon stock comes from Alaska. And we are 
hopeful that the folks in British Columbia will be able to put in place 
a conservation plan for that part of the stock.
  But it goes without saying that unless we have not only domestic 
cooperation, and, incidentally, we have tentatively scheduled a hearing 
in Idaho on this very matter during the break, during the August break 
for, I believe, the 15th of the month, and so we are diligently doing 
what we can to try to reverse the population decline of this species.
  I personally appeal to the Canadian Government and to others who may 
be aware of our discussions here today to move as rapidly as we 
possibly can on an international basis to bring this very important 
conservation matter to a conclusion. We care about American fishermen, 
we care about Canadian fishermen, and we care about the salmon stock 
very much. That is why we are moving so diligently to try to accomplish 
the goals outlined here today.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would say only in conclusion that the gentleman from 
Alaska [Mr. Young] is a man of resolute purpose, and so I advise both 
Governments that they should take this opportunity to come to a quick 
conclusion. Otherwise, I think when the gentleman from Alaska gets 
back, he will be happy to volunteer to solve the whole problem all by 
himself.
  The remarks of the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] are well-
taken, Mr. Speaker, and I trust that both Governments will take this 
opportunity, particularly over the break that we have coming, and bring 
the issue to a conclusion.
  Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
being presented by the gentleman from Alaska.
  This resolution is necessary because of an unfortunate and 
unacceptable situation that took place 2 weeks ago, when certain 
Canadian fishermen took the law into their own hands through an act of 
aggression aimed at the United States commercial fishing industry, 
allegedly in retaliation and frustration over the lack of progress in 
the renegotiation of the United States-Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty.
  Specifically, 2 weeks ago in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, more 
than 150 Canadian fishing vessels surrounded the Alaskan ferry 
Malaspina, forming a blockade and would not let the ferry leave port 
for 3 days, stranding 300 innocent passengers, and disrupting a key 
transportation link on the Alaska Marine Highway. The fishermen 
conducting the illegal blockade of the ferry claimed that they were 
conducting the disruptive act of aggression to bring attention to their 
government because of their frustrations and claims that Alaska is 
overharvesting sockeye salmon headed for spawning waters in the Fraser 
River.
  As outrageous as this act was by the Canadian fishermen, equally 
unacceptable was the slow response by the Canadian Government to 
enforce its own laws. Canada allowed this situation to go on for 3 
days. Even after a Canadian Federal judge ordered the blockade ended, 
Royal Canadian Mounted Police took no immediate action to enforce the 
order and end the blockade.
  Canada is our neighbor and valued ally. We respect her sovereignty, 
and we support a free trade relationship that benefits the long-term 
stability and growth of both our nations' economies. This is why I have 
been a strong supporter of the North American Free Trade Agreement 
[NAFTA]. My State borders Canada, and my State benefits from open 
access to Canadian markets. My State also has a significant fishing 
industry as a component of its economy, and this industry has been hard 
hit by a variety of unfortunate factors such as endangered species 
listings and El Nino conditions that have closed and reduced access to 
key fisheries. Many fishermen have gone out of business and the 
survivors are struggling.
  Our fishermen recognize that the migratory patterns of salmon means 
that Canada, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest States have a shared 
responsibility for the conservation and management of salmon 
populations moving through adjacent waters. Progress and completion of 
a new United States-Canada Treaty is the best insurance possible to 
provide stability for the commercial fishing industry on both sides of 
the border.
  Our fishermen are frustrated as well. They want progress and they 
want results. But they have respected the rule of law, and have 
communicated their concerns through the administration and 
their elected officials. Canadian fishermen are going to have to do the 
same, and the Canadian Government is going to have to discourage future 
illegality by moving swiftly to enforce its own laws.

  We encourage the President to join us in condemning the actions taken 
by Canadian fishermen 2 weeks ago, and urge the Canadian Government to 
condemn such acts as well.
  I believe that Canada should be justifiably criticized for the 
deterioration of the present situation regarding progress on treaty 
negotiations. It was Canada that walked out on negotiations this past 
June, when the United States side was making significant moves toward a 
resolution. The only way that this situation is going to be resolved is 
if everyone stays at the table.
  Our side is working to make progress and I urge the Canadians to work 
to do the same. Regarding the southern issues involved in the Pacific 
Salmon Treaty, the last United States proposal on coho, built on 
detailed scientific analysis, would have provided for sound 
conservation and rebuilding of the depleted coho stocks by reducing the 
harvest rate by approximately 50 percent. It would also have provided a 
west coast Vancouver Island coho troll fishery approximately three 
times as large as the United States fishery, and would have enabled 
Canada to intercept approximately 30 percent more United States-origin 
coho than U.S. fishers take in Washington and Oregon.

[[Page H5838]]

In contrast, State Department negotiators indicate that the proposal 
that Canada put on the table failed to meet even the minimum 
requirements necessary to conserve coho.
  Regarding sockeye, the last proposal put on the table by the United 
States would have assured Canada received more than 80 percent of the 
Fraser River sockeye harvest. To accomplish this, the United States 
negotiators proposed a major restructuring of the sockeye fleet to 
reduce the nontreaty commercial fishery by 40 percent. This would have 
led to significant sacrifice on the United States side, but Canada 
would not recognize this and accept the proposal, and instead pushed 
for an even greater reduction.
  The point is that our side has been trying and is continuing to push 
for an overall renegotiation of the treaty that benefits both nations. 
I believe that Mary Beth West, the lead U.S. negotiator on the treaty, 
is working in good faith to reach an expeditious resolution to the 
major sticking points in the negotiations. Recently, she appointed 
former EPA Director and Washington resident William Ruckelshaus, to 
serve as a mediator to help get the negotiations back on track.
  We all want to see progress and a long-term resolution to problems 
associated with the extension of the United States-Canada Pacific 
Salmon Treaty. However, illegal acts and attempts at blackmail are not 
the way to make the situation better and to move us forward. The 
negotiations are complex, the underlying issues have enormous economic 
implications for the commercial and recreational fishing industry on 
both sides of the border. But we must deal with these matters and 
resolve tensions through good faith negotiations.
  The Canadian fishermen were wrong to blockade the Alaskan ferry 
Malaspina, and the Canadian Government was wrong not to act to enforce 
laws against that illegal action.
  I support this resolution condemning these events and urge Canada to 
return to good faith negotiations on the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced House Concurrent 
Resolution 124 to respond to what I call goon squad tactics taken by 
Canadian fishermen on the weekend of July 19, 1997.
  Canadian fishermen, frustrated with their Government's effort to 
resolve Pacific Salmon Treaty disputes, further escalated the salmon 
strife by illegally blockading the M/V Malaspina, an Alaskan ferry, in 
Prince Rupert, British Columbia. What I find most reprehensible, is the 
failure of the Canadian Government to enforce a court order to end the 
blockade. Innocent passengers were held hostage while the Government of 
Canada turned a blind eye.
  This isn't the first time the Government of Canada has condoned 
illegal actions. In 1994, 258 United States fishermen were unfairly 
charged an illegal transit fee by the Canadian Government to transit 
from Washington to Alaska through the Inside Passage. U.S. fishermen 
have only two choices when traveling from Washington to Alaska. The 
safe route is through the Inside Passage, while the alternate is 
traveling in the treacherous waters of the Pacific Ocean. This illegal 
fee forced U.S. vessels to either risk their safety or be illegally 
fined.
  In 3 years, the Canadian Government or its citizens have purposefully 
ignored and violated international law and harassed United States 
citizens. How many times are we supposed to put up with Canada's 
disregard for international law? House Concurrent Resolution 124 asks 
the President to use all necessary and appropriate means to compel the 
Government of Canada to prevent any further illegal actions.
  Mr. Speaker, Canada's past actions are serious and I would hope that 
Congress and the administration can work together to develop and 
implement measures to help protect the interests of the United States 
with respect to the Pacific salmon fishery. The United States should 
not tolerate threats to those interests from the action or inaction of 
a foreign government or its citizens.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodlatte). 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 124, 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.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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