[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 136 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2243-E2244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT REAUTHORIZATION 
                              ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend 
my remarks. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The pending measure, as passed by the Senate, may be one of the last 
items on our schedule this Congress, but it is certainly not the least 
important. The bill would reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act in order to guide the management of our 
marine fisheries through 2013.
  We would not be here today if Senators Ted Stevens and Daniel Inouye 
had not extended an olive branch. I am extremely appreciative of the 
hard work that they and their staffs put into this legislation. I also 
commend our colleague Tom Allen who worked tirelessly on behalf of the 
fishermen in his district to improve this legislation.
  While the pending measure does not do everything I would have liked, 
it does not roll back the conservation principles in this important 
fisheries management law. The legislation actually strengthens the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
  For the first time, regional fishery management councils will be 
required to establish catch limits that may not exceed the 
recommendations of the councils' scientific and statistical committees. 
We expect the scientific committees are to take into account a wide 
range of scientific opinions when making their recommendations.
  Members of the scientific committees will be required to file 
financial disclosure forms with the Secretary. This requirement will 
enable the general public to use the Freedom of Information Act to 
ascertain whether the scientists are truly independent.
  For the most depleted fisheries in our country, the legislation will 
require the Secretary of Commerce to prepare and implement a rebuilding 
plan that puts an end to overfishing immediately. This is a significant 
improvement in the law. Studies have shown that the clearest cause of 
the lack of progress in rebuilding is the failure of many plans to 
reduce overfishing on those critically depleted stocks. H.R. 5946 
addresses this concern.
  Notwithstanding efforts by this Congress to undermine the National 
Environmental Policy Act, H.R. 5946, as amended, requires full 
compliance with the law. The Secretary of Commerce is directed to 
update the procedures for complying with NEPA, but these new procedures 
will not supercede existing NEPA regulations and guidance issued by the 
Council on Environmental Quality.
  Additionally, H.R. 5946 places a 10-year limit on permits, known as 
limited access privileges, which are issued to fishermen to harvest a 
quantity of fish. On this issue, I commend our colleague Tom Allen, who 
worked to ensure that the limited access privilege program conserves 
fisheries, is accountable, and protects small fishermen from those who 
would like to consolidate fisheries. The privileges are to be held by 
fishermen who are actively engaged and substantially participate in the 
fishery. The regional fishery associations are to maintain free and 
open markets for fishermen to sell their catch, and are not to force 
fishermen into unwilling or involuntary arrangements.
  H.R. 5946 also encourages the conservation of coral reefs. The bill 
directs the Secretary to map the locations of deep sea corals for the 
councils, monitor activity occurring where deep sea corals exist, and 
develop technologies to assist fishermen in reducing the interactions 
that fishing gear has with corals.
  Finally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to undertake 
activities to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in 
international waters. This will assist domestic fishermen who bear the 
costs when fish harvested illegally result in degraded fish stocks and 
depressed prices worldwide.
  In summary, H.R. 5946 will promote the conservation of our fisheries. 
The bill does not include everything on my wish list, but it improves 
upon existing law.

[[Page E2244]]

  By reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act in the 109th Congress, we 
will have more time in the 110th Congress to devote to other ocean 
issues, including considering the recommendations of the Joint Oceans 
Commission Initiative.
  It is a rare day that I agree with our President, but several months 
ago he said, ``Overfishing is harmful. It's harmful to our country and 
it's harmful to the world.'' I agree wholeheartedly and understand that 
this legislation takes corrective action to curtail overfishing, 
especially in our most depleted fisheries.
  I support the bill, encourage my colleagues to do so as well.

                          ____________________