[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2373-E2374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES CONSERVATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Atlantic 
Highly Migratory Species Conservation Act. I believe this bill 
represents a good first step to ``Right-Size'' the U.S. Atlantic and 
Gulf of Mexico pelagic longline fleet. Senator Breaux is expected to 
also introduce a similar measure in the Senate today or later this 
week.
  Specifically, my bill would: (1) Establish three time-area closures 
for highly migratory species--one permanent area in the south Atlantic 
and two time-area closures in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) establish and 
authorize funding for two buyout programs for approximately 75 eligible 
vessels; (3) Establish a highly migratory species bycatch reduction 
research program within the Southeast Fisheries Service Center of the 
National Marine Fisheries Service to identify and test fishing gear 
configurations and uses to determine the most effective way to reduce 
billfish bycatch mortality in pelagic fisheries; and (4) attempt to 
address fishery related concerns in the area known as the mid Atlantic 
bight.
  The proposed closures represent historic ``Hot spots'' for bycatch of 
undersized swordfish and billfish by catch based on available science 
from the National Marine Fisheries Service. These closed areas would 
help to rebuild and protect swordfish propulations as well as other 
highly migratory species and prohibit pelagic longline fishing during 
these closed periods.
  The bill includes a compensation package that authorizes specific 
congressionally appropriated funds that will be combined with a direct 
loan to be repaid by both commerical and recreational fishermen.
  Mr. Speaker, this has been a long and difficult road to get this bill 
ready for introduction.
  What started as an introductory meeting just before the August recess 
with representatives of the pelagic longline industry and several 
recreational fishing organizations gradually turned into hundreds of 
telephone calls the next several months. Many conversations with 
recreational and commerical fisherman and their organizational 
representatives from all over the country took place which lead to 
concepts--then proposed legislative language--and finally a bill for 
introduction today.
  I would like to thank members of the Blue Water Fishermen's 
Association located in my district for their leadership on this 
initiative, the Billfish Foundation, the Coastal Conservation 
Association, the American Sportsfishing Association and many other 
recreational fishermen in my district, in the State of New Jersey and 
throughout the country who have worked with me to develop this bill.
  While not all of these groups are entirely happy with this bill, we 
hope we can continue to dialog and continue to work together. I would 
also like to thank the National Marine Fisheries Service for starting 
this process by establishing a limited entry program for the pelagic 
longline fishery in the highly migratory species fishery management 
plan.
  Mr. Speaker, I realize that this bill is not perfect. I realize that 
there is much that remains unresolved, particularly in the waters of 
the mid Atlantic. I look forward to productive and spirited hearings 
over the coming months that will take place before the subcommittee in 
Washington, New Jersey, and perhaps Florida as well.
  I believe it is very important that all interested fishermen and 
their supportive organizations realize this is the beginning of a 
process, and that much lies ahead.
  In the end, I am confident that the final bill will include 
conservation measures designed to protect these important and 
impressive migratory marine species, will compensate the fishermen who 
decide to leave the fishery, will help to maintain a viable U.S. 
pelagic longline fishery for the future, and will send a strong message 
to our fellow fishing nations that greater conservation measures need 
to be enacted to protect and rebuild swordfish populations and reduce 
unnecessary billfish bycatch.

   H.R.  , Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Conservation Act of 1999


                         Conservation Benefits

       (1) Highly Migratory Species Conservation Zones: The Act 
     creates one permanent closure and two time-area closures:
       Pelagic Longline fishing prohibited within zones during 
     closed time period/season.
       The three zones represent ``hot spots'' for bycatch of 
     undersized swordfish & billfish based on available science 
     from the National Marine Fisheries Service.
     Atlantic swordfish conservation zone
       Extends from the North Carolina/South Carolina border south 
     through to Key West, Florida, to reduce high mortality rates 
     of juvenile swordfish and high rates of billfish bycatch.
       Covers 80,000 square nautical miles.
       Closed indefinitely year-around to pelagic longline vessels 
     but not recreation or charter vessels.
     Gulf of Mexico swordfish conservation zone
       Extends from North Eastern Gulf of Mexico/DeSoto Canyon 
     region (Mobile, AL to Panama City, FL), to help build 
     swordfish stocks.
       Covers 5,400 square nautical miles.
       Time-area closure from January 1 through Memorial Day each 
     year indefinitely to pelagic longline vessels but not 
     recreation or charter vessels.
     Gulf of Mexico billfish conservation zone
       Extends from the Gulf of Mexico from the U.S./Mexico border 
     to Cape San Blas, Florida, out to the 500 fathom line, to 
     reduce billfish bycatch.
       Covers 82,000 square nautical miles.
       Time-area closure from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year 
     for four years from date of enactment to pelagic longline 
     vessels but not to recreation or charter vessels.
       (2) Establishes the Highly Migratory Species Bycatch 
     Reduction Research Program: The Act establishes within the 
     Southeast Fisheries Service Center (SFSC), NMFS, a three year 
     Pelagic Longline Billfish Bycatch and Mortality Reduction 
     Research Program to identify and test a variety of pelagic 
     longline fishing gear configurations and uses to determine 
     which configurations and uses are the most effective in 
     reducing billfish bycatch mortality in pelagic longline 
     fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the exclusive 
     economic zone, specifically the Mid Atlantic Bight. In 
     addition, an observer program for the Mid Atlantic Bight will 
     be established and required for vessels operating during the 
     period of June through September to monitor any net increase 
     impacting billfish bycatch and bycatch mortality as well

[[Page E2374]]

     as any substantial net increase in the number of vessels or 
     effort from the remaining pelagic longline vessels.
       The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress three years 
     following the time-area closures in the Gulf of Mexico 
     evaluating the conservation effectiveness of the closures.
       Within one year of enactment, all U.S. pelagic longline 
     vessel covered under the HMS FMP shall be required to install 
     Vessel Monitoring System equipment.
       (3) Establishes Restrictions on Pelagic Longline Vessels in 
     Mid Atlantic Bight: Permitted pelagic longline vessels 
     fishing in the Mid Atlantic Bight from June through August 
     shall not (1) increase their total effort by more than ten 
     percent based on their total effort in the Mid Atlantic Bight 
     from 1992 to 1997, and (2) increase days at sea in the Mid 
     Atlantic Bight by more than ten percent based on average days 
     at sea from 1992 through 1997.
       (4) Pelagic Longline Vessel Permit Holder Compensation 
     Program: The Act establishes voluntary pelagic longline 
     vessel permit holder compensation program for 68 eligible 
     vessels that fished at least 35% of their time in the 
     Atlantic Swordfish Conservation Zone. Upon accepting the 
     buyout, the permit holder surrenders all commercial fishing 
     permits and licenses that apply to the eligible vessels, 
     including any permits or licenses issued by the Federal 
     Government or a State government or political subdivision. 
     The bill authorizes $15 million to be covered by 
     appropriations as the Federal share and $10 million for the 
     direct loan program to be paid back by a 50-50 split between 
     the commercial and recreational fishing sectors. The 
     compensation will be a combination of a flat dollar amount 
     plus the value of the highest landings in any one year 
     between 1992 and 1998, defines landings, and requires 
     documentation of landings value.
       The Act also establishes a second voluntary buyout program 
     called the Mid Atlantic Buyout Program. Permitted pelagic 
     longline vessels that have landings of at least 40 percent in 
     the Mid Atlantic Bight from the period of 1992 through 1997 
     would qualify. The compensation program shall be fair and 
     equitable and shall be based on the compensation formula for 
     the primary buyout program. The bill authorizes $5 million 
     for the buyout program.

     

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