[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24900-24902]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   FISHERIES CONSERVATION ACT OF 2001

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1989) to reauthorize various fishery conservation management 
programs, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1989

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fisheries Conservation Act 
     of 2001''.

           TITLE I--INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES ACT OF 1986

     SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES 
                   ACT OF 1986.

       Section 308 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 
     1986 (16 U.S.C. 4107) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) General Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Department of Commerce for apportionment 
     to carry out the purposes of this title--
       ``(1) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       ``(2) $5,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004; 
     and
       ``(3) $5,900,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (c) by striking ``$700,000 for fiscal 
     year 1997, and $750,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998, 
     1999, and 2000'' and inserting ``$800,000 for fiscal year 
     2002, $850,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004, and 
     $900,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006''.

     SEC. 102. PURPOSES OF THE INTERJURISDICTIONAL FISHERIES ACT 
                   OF 1986

       Section 302 of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 
     1986 (16 U.S.C. 4101) is amended by striking ``and'' after 
     the semicolon at the end of paragraph (1), striking the 
     period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ``; and'', 
     and adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) to promote and encourage research in preparation for 
     the implementation of the use of ecosystems and interspecies 
     approaches to the conservation and management of 
     interjurisdictional fishery resources throughout their 
     range.''.

               TITLE II--ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION ACT

     SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF ANADROMOUS FISH CONSERVATION 
                   ACT.

       Section 4 of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act (16 
     U.S.C. 757d) is amended to read as follows:


                   ``authorization of appropriations

       ``Sec. 4. (a)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out the purposes of this Act not to exceed the 
     following sums:
       ``(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       ``(B) $4,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004; 
     and
       ``(C) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
       ``(2) Sums appropriated under this subsection are 
     authorized to remain available until expended.
       ``(b) Not more than $625,000 of the funds appropriated 
     under this section in any one fiscal year shall be obligated 
     in any one State.''.

     SEC. 202. RESEARCH ON AND USE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND INTERSPECIES 
                   APPROACHES TO THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.

       The first section of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 757a) is amended in subsection (b) by inserting 
     ``(1)'' after ``(b)'', and by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(2) In carrying out responsibilities under this section, 
     the Secretary shall conduct, promote, and encourage research 
     in preparation for the implementation of the use of 
     ecosystems and interspecies approaches to the conservation 
     and management of anadromous and Great Lakes fishery 
     resources.''.

                 TITLE III--ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES

     SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS 
                   CONSERVATION ACT.

       Section 7(a) of the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1851 note) is amended by striking ``and 2003'' and 
     inserting ``2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006''.

     SEC. 302. REAUTHORIZATION OF ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES 
                   COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT ACT.

       Section 811(a) of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries 
     Cooperative Management Act (16 U.S.C. 5108) is amended by 
     striking ``2005'' and inserting ``2006''.

     SEC. 303. AMENDMENTS TO ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES 
                   COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT ACT.

       (a) Findings.--Section 802(a) of the Atlantic Coastal 
     Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (16 U.S.C. 5101(a)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) The understanding of the interactions of species in 
     the maritime environment and the development of ecosystems-
     based approaches to fishery conservation and management lead 
     to better stewardship and sustainability of coastal fishery 
     resources.
       ``(8) Federal and State scientists should gather 
     information on the interaction of species in the marine 
     environment and provide this scientific information to 
     Federal and State managers.''.
       (b) Purpose.--Section 802(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
     5101(b)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to support and 
     encourage the development, implementation, and enforcement of 
     effective interstate conservation and management of Atlantic 
     coastal fishery resources through the use of sound science 
     and multispecies, adaptive, and ecosystem-based management 
     measures.''.
       (c) State-Federal Cooperation in Multispecies and 
     Ecosystems Interaction Research.--Section 804(a) of such Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 5103(a)) is amended by inserting ``multispecies 
     and ecosystems interaction research;'' after ``biological and 
     socioeconomic research;''.
       (d) Assistance for Research Regarding Interrelationships 
     Among Atlantic Coastal Fishery Resources and Their 
     Ecosystems.--Section 808 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 5107) is 
     amended by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of 
     paragraph (1), redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3), 
     and inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) research to understand the interrelationships among 
     Atlantic coastal fishery resources and their ecosystems; 
     and''.

            TITLE IV--ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION ACT OF 1975

     SEC. 401. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION 
                   ACT OF 1975.

       Section 10 of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16 
     U.S.C. 971h) is amended to read as follows:


                   ``authorization of appropriations

       ``Sec. 10. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this Act, including use for payment 
     of the United States share of the joint expenses of the 
     Commission as provided in Article X of the Convention, the 
     following sums:

[[Page 24901]]

       ``(1) For each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004, 
     $5,480,000.
       ``(2) For each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, $5,495,000.
       ``(b) Allocation.--Of amounts available under this section 
     for each fiscal year--
       ``(1) $150,000 are authorized for the advisory committee 
     established under section 4 and the species working groups 
     established under section 4A; and
       ``(2) $4,240,000 are authorized for research activities 
     under this Act and the Act of September 4, 1980 (16 U.S.C. 
     971i).''.

      TITLE V--NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES CONVENTION ACT OF 1995

     SEC. 501. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES 
                   CONVENTION ACT OF 1995.

       Section 211 of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention 
     Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 5610) is amended by striking ``2001'' 
     and inserting ``2006''.

 TITLE VI--EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF OCEAN POLICY REPORT

     SEC. 601. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE.

       (a) Extension of Deadline.--The Oceans Act of 2000 (Public 
     Law 106-256) is amended--
       (1) in section 3(f)(1) (114 Stat. 647) by striking ``18 
     months'' and inserting ``27 months'';
       (2) in section 3(i) (114 Stat. 648) by striking ``30 days'' 
     and inserting ``90 days''; and
       (3) in section 4(a) (114 Stat. 648; 33 U.S.C. 857-19 note) 
     by striking ``120 days'' and inserting ``90 days''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 3(j) of such 
     Act (114 Stat. 648) is amended by striking ``$6,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$8,500,000''.
       (c) Technical Corrections.--Section 3(e) of such Act (114 
     Stat. 646) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking the colon in the third 
     sentence and inserting a period;
       (2) by inserting immediately after such period the 
     following:
       ``(2) Notice; Minutes; Public Availability of Documents.--
     ''; and
       (3) by redesignating the subsequent paragraphs in order as 
     paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  This legislation reauthorizes a number of important fishery statutes 
that range from grants for States for conservation, research, and 
enforcement activities to the implementation of international treaties. 
The bill reauthorizes these statutes through September 30, 2006.
  Two of the State grant statutes are the Interjurisdictional Fisheries 
Act of 1986 and the Anadromous Fisheries Conservation Act of 1965. 
These laws have been active for a number of years and have provided 
funding for many worthwhile activities, including research to help 
improve the way fisheries are managed, enforcement activities, the 
rebuilding of necessary habitat, and other measures to improve the 
survival of fish that travel across State boundaries and over great 
distances.
  The Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act of 1984 and the Atlantic 
Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act are laws that provide 
directives to the States and the Atlantic States Fisheries Commission 
to develop fishery management plans for the species of fish under their 
jurisdiction along the East Coast.
  These laws promote cooperation between the States and Federal 
Government to ensure that fisheries are getting appropriate and 
complementary management throughout their range, whether it be in State 
or Federal waters. The current robust health of striped bass 
populations is a direct result of efforts undertaken under these two 
acts.
  The Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 and the Northwest Atlantic 
Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 are laws that implement international 
agreements. These acts allow the U.S. to be a member of the 
International Fishery Commission where management recommendations are 
developed by member nations for fisheries under the Commission's 
jurisdiction. The United States then implements those recommendations 
through regulations for U.S. fishing vessels.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1989 also makes some technical changes to the 
Oceans Act of 2000, Public Law 106-256. The bill extends the deadline 
for the Presidential commission to submit its report to Congress from 
18 months to 27 months. This change will allow the commission to still 
be operational while the administration reviews and submits its 
comments. The commission will then have a chance to respond to the 
administration's comments and submit those to Congress. In addition, 
the commission has opted for a much broader field hearing schedule in 
order to obtain the views of additional Americans; and due to such a 
schedule, as a result, we have increased their authorization by $2.5 
million.
  Mr. Speaker, all of these acts are very important. They have been 
very successful in accomplishing their conservation goals; and in the 
coming years, greater emphasis will be placed on research and 
management measures which promote the development of an ecosystem-based 
management of fisheries. I urge Members to vote ``aye'' on H.R. 1989.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill.
  As the gentleman from Maryland has already explained, H.R. 1989 
extends a number of fisheries laws that authorize the conservation 
management of many of our domestic and international fishery resources. 
In addition, it encourages an ecosystem approach to the management of 
these resources which, given the current status of many marine 
fisheries, is an excellent idea that is long overdue.
  As the gentleman from Maryland is aware, the general management of 
marine fisheries in the United States is in serious need of 
improvement. First, we lack the proper data to manage these stocks. Of 
the 900-plus stocks that we currently harvest, we do not have enough 
data to evaluate the status of more than 700 of them. At the same time, 
while better data is obviously needed, having good data does not ensure 
good management. Of the 200 or so stocks for which we do have adequate 
information, half are considered to be overfished or approaching an 
overfished condition.
  The status of fisheries worldwide is apparently not much better, 
either. According to leading scientists in a study published in the 
November 29 issue of Nature Magazine, the global fisheries catches from 
the world's oceans have been declining for over a decade. This new 
evidence, which contradicts reports published by the United Nations 
Food and Agricultural Organization, indicates that the true state of 
the oceans may be far worse than previously thought.
  Now, some may think that people in Colorado, a State far from the 
ocean, would not care about the status of our marine fisheries, but 
that is not the case. The oceans represent more than 70 percent of the 
Earth's surface, and I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to work 
together to better protect and conserve their biodiversity. I know the 
bill of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), with its focus on 
better data collection and ecosystem management, is a good first step. 
I look forward to working with him next year to expand this concept to 
the Magnuson Act, our Nation's primary law governing the management of 
marine fisheries.
  Further, the law and its implementation must be strengthened if we 
are to have any hope of saving our fisheries resources, both here in 
the United States and around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to express my gratitude and appreciation for the members of the 
Committee on Resources on both sides of the aisle for piecing this 
package together, and I also want to compliment the staff on both sides 
of the aisle for their effort and cooperation in pulling this package 
together.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers; and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr.

[[Page 24902]]

Gilchrest) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 
1989, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to reauthorize various 
fishing conservation management programs, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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