Extensions of Remarks 5829

Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 1367, the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Conservation Act of 2001. I am pleased to be here today to talk about such an important issue. We stand at an historic crossroads for the conservation of highly migratory species (HMS). The effective management of Atlantic HMS is one of the most complex and difficult challenges facing the National Marine Fisheries Service. These species range widely throughout international waters and the jurisdictions of many coastal nations with diverse political perspectives on how to properly utilize and manage this valuable resource. The fishing practices and marketing strategies are equally diverse. Unlike most other domestic fisheries, effective multilateral management is the goal of our nation’s HMS policy. In fact, Congress placed Atlantic HMS management authority in the hands of the Secretary of Commerce instead of the Regional Fishery Management Councils, in theory, to ensure that our government maintains an Atlanticwide perspective and vision. It is my firm belief that this Congress, together with thousands of concerned fisherman and conservationists, have a unique opportunity to work together to aggressively protect and rebuild stocks of HMS such as billfish, sharks and swordfish. In August of 1999, I was approached by representatives of the longline industry and three recreation/conservation fishing organizations who suggested I sponsor legislation to: (1) permanently close an area of U.S. waters in the South Atlantic to pelagic longline fishing; (2) establish two time-area closures in the Gulf of Mexico to pelagic longlining; (3) reduce billfish bycatch and the harvesting of juvenile swordfish; and (4) provide affected fishermen a buyout to compensate them for the loss of fishing grounds and fishing opportunities. I remain a strong supporter of this concept. I first began work on this important issue because I feel very strongly that a balance can be achieved. Prior to and following the introduction of H.R. 3331, my first bill targeting these critical needs, I met with, and spoke to, a number of pelagic longline fisherman, recreational fisherman and their organizations, and a number of conservation and environmental groups. I introduced H.R. 3331, in the 106th Congress, in part, because the National Marine Fisheries Service established the pelagic longline fishery as a limited-entry fishery through the HMS Fishery Management Plan. As NMFS is well aware, I have been asking them to take this action for many years. The establishment of a limited access system is critical to reduce harvesting capacity through attrition or a buyback program. Hence, once pelagic longline permits for HMS are boughtout as proposed in my bill, there would be no further vessels re-entering the fishery. I believe in this concept because the current management system whereby NMFS publishes a regulatory rule that is challenged by seemingly endless lawsuits is not an effective way of promoting sound HMS fishery management. This system has to change. The International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), led by the United States, approved a ten-year rebuilding plan for North Atlantic swordfish. Although the final approved plan did not go as far as I would have liked in reducing the annual quota internationally, it nevertheless set an important tone for conservation. I commend the U.S. ICCAT Commissioners for their tenacity in getting the rebuilding plan approved. This is the continuation of an arduous process, but I am confident that we can provide a conservation measure that is good for our beleagured highly migratory species of fish. I look forward to continuing to fight until this measure is passed and becomes law.