[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5207-S5208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TORRICELLI (for himself and Mr. Cleland):
  S. 2593. A bill to protect diverse and structurally complex areas of 
the seabed in the United States exclusive economic zone by establishing 
a maximum diameter size limit on rockhopper, roller, and all other 
ground gear used on bottom trawls; to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, our oceans are one of America's most 
precious and valuable resources. For hundreds of millions of people, 
our coastal waters are a place of relaxation, recreation, and 
rejuvenation. The oceans are also a tremendous supply of fish and other 
seafood, many caught by commercial fishers and others by recreational 
sportsmen and hobbyists.
  There is a growing concern, however, about protecting ocean habitat 
from the damaging effects of some types of commercial fishing gear. The 
manner in which these concerns are presently being handled by the 
National Marine Fishery Service has led to a great deal of confusion 
and litigation. Therefore, in an effort to protect important ocean 
substrates that are recognized as critical areas of marine habitat, I, 
with my colleague, Senator Max Cleland of Georgia, am introducing a 
bill today that takes a much more direct approach.
  I have received many letters from constituents in my home State of 
New Jersey who are concerned about the use of ``rock hopper'' nets in 
the New York Bight area and elsewhere. They have chronicled the 
negative effects of this gear and the damage they see occurring as a 
result of its use. In response to their concerns I feel compelled to 
introduce in the Senate companion legislation to Congressman Joel 
Hefley's Sea Bed Protection Act of 2002, which he introduced recently 
in the House. This bill will amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation Act by reining in the use of this damaging fishing gear.
  Rock hopper nets are used in hard-bottom areas where naturally 
occurring vertical structures prevents the use of more conventional 
trawl gear. The rock hopper incorporates a series of rollers that act 
like the drum on the front of a steamroller. While operating, the 
rollers prevent the net from becoming entangled by guiding it up and 
over obstructions. While it is effective at catching fish, it is 
equally effective at damaging the sea floor where it is used.
  It has been clearly documented that rock hopper nets kill clinging 
organisms and living corals, the very things that attracted the fish 
they were designed to catch in the first place. The heavy rollers and 
sweeps that guide the nets crush marine life and can even flatten 
bottom topography.
  When a specific piece of equipment is demonstrated to be harmful to 
marine life or the marine environment, it is common sense to stop using 
it and find a more ecosystem-friendly method of harvesting fish for the 
market. It is folly to allow the continued use of fishing gear that has 
an uncontrollable level of bycatch of that is damaging to the very 
habitat necessary for the fish it catches to grow and reproduce. Rock 
hopper nets are clearly a threat to fragile habitats that are 
particularly important to a healthy marine ecosystem. The Sea Bed 
Protection Act

[[Page S5208]]

will limit their use and protect critical habitat, while highlighting 
our concern for the broader issues of sustainable fisheries and habitat 
protection.
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