[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 1367, THE ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES CONSERVATION ACT OF 
                                  2001

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                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 1367, the 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Conservation Act of 2001. I am 
pleased to be here today to talk about such an important issue. We 
stand at an historic crossroads for the conservation of highly 
migratory species (HMS). The effective management of Atlantic HMS is 
one of the most complex and difficult challenges facing the National 
Marine Fisheries Service. These species range widely throughout 
international waters and the jurisdictions of many coastal nations with 
diverse political perspectives on how to properly utilize and manage 
this valuable resource.
  The fishing practices and marketing strategies are equally diverse. 
Unlike most other domestic fisheries, effective multilateral management 
is the goal of our nation's HMS policy. In fact, Congress placed 
Atlantic HMS management authority in the hands of the Secretary of 
Commerce instead of the Regional Fishery Management Councils, in 
theory, to ensure that our government maintains an Atlantic-wide 
perspective and vision.
  It is my firm belief that this Congress, together with thousands of 
concerned fisherman and conservationists, have a unique opportunity to 
work together to aggressively protect and rebuild stocks of HMS such as 
billfish, sharks and swordfish.
  In August of 1999, I was approached by representatives of the 
longline industry and three recreation/conservation fishing 
organizations who suggested I sponsor legislation to: (1) permanently 
close an area of U.S. waters in the South Atlantic to pelagic longline 
fishing; (2) establish two time-area closures in the Gulf of Mexico to 
pelagic longlining; (3) reduce billfish bycatch and the harvesting of 
juvenile swordfish; and (4) provide affected fishermen a buyout to 
compensate them for the loss of fishing grounds and fishing 
opportunities. I remain a strong supporter of this concept.
  I first began work on this important issue because I feel very 
strongly that a balance can be achieved. Prior to and following the 
introduction of H.R. 3331, my first bill targeting these critical 
needs, I met with, and spoke to, a number of pelagic longline 
fisherman, recreational fisherman and their organizations, and a number 
of conservation and environmental groups.
  I introduced H.R. 3331, in the 106th Congress, in part, because the 
National Marine Fisheries Service established the pelagic longline 
fishery as a limited-entry fishery through the HMS Fishery Management 
Plan. As NMFS is well aware, I have been asking them to take this 
action for many years. The establishment of a limited access system is 
critical to reduce harvesting capacity through attrition or a buyback 
program. Hence, once pelagic longline permits for HMS are bought-out as 
proposed in my bill, there would be no further vessels re-entering the 
fishery.
  I believe in this concept because the current management system 
whereby NMFS publishes a regulatory rule that is challenged by 
seemingly endless lawsuits is not an effective way of promoting sound 
HMS fishery management. This system has to change.
  The International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
(ICCAT), led by the United States, approved a ten-year rebuilding plan 
for North Atlantic swordfish. Although the final approved plan did not 
go as far as I would have liked in reducing the annual quota 
internationally, it nevertheless set an important tone for 
conservation. I commend the U.S. ICCAT Commissioners for their tenacity 
in getting the rebuilding plan approved.
  This is the continuation of an arduous process, but I am confident 
that we can provide a conservation measure that is good for our 
beleagured highly migratory species of fish. I look forward to 
continuing to fight until this measure is passed and becomes law.

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