[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E311-E312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WHITE MARLINS AND THE LONGLINE INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce this important 
piece of conservation legislation. In the last session of Congress the 
Resources Committee worked hard to report out, my good friend from 
Maryland and Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Gilchrest's bill, H.R. 4749, 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act Amendments of 2002. While I was pleased with 
many of the provisions, I felt the bycatch section could be 
strengthened and was successful in getting a provision added to H.R. 
4749 addressing the concerns I still have today, with regard to the 
amount of bycatch of white marlin by the domestic longline industry, 
which is why I am introducing this bill today.
  This bill creates a closed area in the mid-Atlantic that protects 
marlin from being caught by longlines, when marlin are the most 
prevalent in those waters. This area consists of the entire Mid-
Atlantic Conservation Zone for Highly Migratory Species and closes the 
upper zone July 15 through September 1, and closes the lower zone from 
August 15 through October 1. The bill allows for the maximum fishing 
effort by the longline industry consistent with the conservation.
  I continue to be concerned about this species because stocks 
domestically and internationally have continued to rapidly decline. On 
September 4, 2001, an environmental group petitioned the National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list Atlantic white marlin under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. On December 19, 2001, NMFS 
found that the Atlantic white marlin petition presents substantial 
scientific and commercial information indicating that a listing of 
Atlantic white marlin may be warranted.
  On September 4, 2002, NMFS determined that the species does not 
warrant being listed at this time. However, the most recent stock 
assessment indicates the total Atlantic stock population had declined 
to less than 12 percent of its maximum sustainable yield level; current 
fishing mortality was estimated to be at least seven times higher than 
the maximum sustainable level; over fishing had taken place for over 
three decades and the stock is less productive than previously 
estimated, with a maximum sustainable yield of less than 1300 metric 
tons. The bottom line--this species needs an immediate strong 
conservation measure or it may disappear forever.
  I have for many years been very concerned about the dramatic drop in 
population of this species, and the fact that NMFS even considered 
listing it confirms my concerns have not been unfounded. I am therefore 
introducing this piece of legislation as it is critical we continue to 
make every possible effort to save this species from extinction, which 
is a distinct possibility should nothing be done to stop the tremendous 
amount of bycatch.
  It is so important we work together to conserve all species, and the 
dramatic drop in population of white marlin sends a strong message that 
if we do nothing the potential for other species to be in equal 
jeopardy is almost guaranteed. Our oceans could well be void of many 
species we now enjoy and take for granted if we do not take aggressive 
steps to halt their disappearance now, before it's too late.
  It is of the utmost importance that today, more than ever, we work 
diligently to ensure our world's fisheries populations are maintained 
at sustainable levels. If we fail to protect them, there are some 
species that may disappear forever, which would be tragic.

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