[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MORATORIUM ON LARGE FISHING VESSELS IN ATLANTIC

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                               speech of

                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 1997

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my colleague 
from New Jersey, Mr. Saxton, for his efforts on the behalf of fishermen 
in New Jersey.
  Make no mistake, Mr. Chairman, the appearance of factory trawlers in 
Atlantic waters is one of the most serious issues fishermen on the 
eastern seaboard have ever faced. These vessels, which are built only 
to haul large amounts of fish in a short amount of time, are nothing 
more than seagoing vacuum cleaners.
  Factory trawlers represent a threat to the job of American fishermen. 
Many of these hard-working people have generational ties to the waters 
in which they fish.
  Equally as important is the damage these vessels can do to fisheries. 
Regional fishery councils are working hard to strike a balance between 
conservation and the needs of fishermen. The entry of factory trawlers 
in Atlantic waters will only serve to disrupt that balance, and 
ultimately deplete fishery stocks.
  Mr. Chairman, let me conclude by saying that H.R. 1855 is a 
commonsense solution to this problem, and I am proud to join the 
environmentalists, commercial fishermen, and recreational anglers who 
have thrown their support behind this legislation.

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