[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED FISHING ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2013

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce legislation to 
strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and 
unregulated (IUU) fishing. Illegal fishing threatens the economic and 
social infrastructure of fishing communities, and the security of the 
United States and our allies around the world, by decreasing 
opportunities for legitimate and conscientious fishermen.
  Guam, and the other Pacific islands, host rich fisheries resources, 
including pristine reefs, diverse communities of reef fish, and large 
populations of sharks and valuable tuna; important economic and 
cultural assets for the islands. IUU fishing threatens these resources. 
There have been several incidents of foreign fishing vessels operating 
within the United States' EEZ with impunity--a significant national 
security and economic risk to our country.
  This problem can be particularly acute in places like Guam, where the 
EEZ is vast, and where the United States Coast Guard, despite its best 
efforts, has insufficient resources to patrol all of our waters. The 
United States' Pacific lands represent 43% of the EEZ. Our focus should 
be on the posture of our Coast Guard in the Asia-Pacific region. The 
Navy and Coast Guard have recognized the economic and security threats 
posed by illegal fishing in Oceania and it is incumbent on the 
Administration and Congress to put resources towards these 
requirements.
  The loss of economic opportunity weakens our allies in the Pacific 
and strengthens resource conflicts in the region. Recent reports have 
documented that IUU fishing accounts for between 10 and 22% of the 
reported global fish catch, or $9-24 billion in gross revenues each 
year (MRAG, 2009, Sumaila et al., 2006 and Agnew et al., 2009). The 
Coast Guard estimates that over $1.7 billion is lost annually to IUU 
fishing in the Pacific Islands. Additional action is needed from 
Congress if we are to be successful in combating IUU fishing and the 
depletion of fish stocks worldwide. This bill will help to provide our 
Coast Guard with the tools to better enforce regulations throughout the 
sector.
  The ``Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing Enforcement 
Enhancement Act of 2013,'' which I introduced today, further enhances 
the enforcement authority of NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard to regulate 
IUU fishing. This bill would amend international and regional fishery 
management organization (RFMO) agreements to incorporate the civil 
penalties, permit sanctions, criminal offenses, civil forfeitures and 
enforcement sections of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act. It would strengthen enforcement authority of NOAA and 
the U.S. Coast Guard to inspect conveyances, facilities, and records 
involving the storage, processing, transport and trade of fish and fish 
products, and to detain fish and fish products for up to five days 
while an investigation is ongoing.
  In addition, this bill makes technical adjustments allowing NOAA to 
more effectively carry out current IUU identification mandates, 
including extending the duration of time for identification of 
violators from the preceding two years to the preceding three years. 
This bill broadens data sharing authority to enable NOAA to share 
information with foreign governments and clarifies that all information 
collected may be shared with international organizations and foreign 
governments for the purpose of conducting enforcement. This bill would 
also establish an international cooperation and assistance program to 
provide technical expertise to other nations to help them address IUU 
fishing. This bill, however, does not authorize new funding or 
appropriations. The bill is a cost neutral measure that would enhance 
our nation's security.
  Finally, this bill implements the Antigua Convention, an important 
international agreement that provides critical updates to the 
principles, functions, and processes of the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission (IATTC) to manage fisheries in the eastern Pacific 
Ocean. The Antigua Convention modernizes the IATTC and increases its 
capacity to combat IUU fishing and illegal imports of tuna product. 
Without implementing legislation, the U.S. does not have the 
authorities necessary to satisfy its commitments under the Antigua 
Convention, including addressing IUU in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
  Increased enforcement increases stability among our allies in the 
Western Pacific. Many nations depend upon fishing as a vital component 
of their national economy. Fishing communities are the lifeblood of 
Guam, part of a cultural history extending back centuries. Protecting 
our fishermen from illegal fishing enhances economic opportunities and 
protects cultural and natural resources that our communities rely upon. 
IUU fishermen are ``free riders'' who benefit unfairly from the 
sacrifices made by U.S. fishermen and others for the sake of proper 
fisheries conservation and management.
  I would like to thank Reps. Markey, Sablan, Pierluisi, and 
Christensen for joining me as original cosponsors and I look forward to 
working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this 
important bill through the legislative process.

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