WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) yesterday questioned Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez on an Alaska exemption for the Department of Commerce’s aquaculture legislation as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas.  Secretary Gutierrez vowed to address both issues raised by Senator Stevens during an oversight hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee.

The following exchange occurred between Senator Ted Stevens and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez:

AQUACULTURE

Senator Stevens: “I have visited extensively with scientists and members of various coalitions in my state, and there is still great fear about the concept of aquaculture within our 200 mile limit and beyond.  I would urge you to consider exempting Alaska from this type of aquaculture. We must postpone further risk until we really know the impact.”

Secretary Gutierrez: “Vice Chairman Stevens, we have received comments back from the Committee on our aquaculture proposal and one of them of course is an opt-out for states and very specifically finfish in Alaska. We are very aware of that concern for you. I am sure in the end we can come to an agreement that can satisfy your concerns and take into account the opt-out desires of Alaska.”

ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING

Senator Stevens: “We are looking now at IUU fisheries and were told that there is evidence of ships that are out there unregistered and operating under flags of convenience in the North Pacific. There is a crisis in dealing with IUU vessels. Is there anything you can do to address this situation?”

Secretary Gutierrez: “Yes, we have brought this issue to the attention of both China and Japan because I believe that when it comes down to IUU, they are probably the largest contributors. In fact, in this upcoming meeting with China, for the first time this subject will be on the agenda and we are going to talk to them. The breakthrough here is that we have never had this sort of discussion in our bilateral meetings. From here on, the subject of illegal fishing will be on every single one of our agendas. They know we are on to this and they know that this is important for us. We will have to deal with Japan through another mechanism, but this issue will be on the meeting agenda and I look forward to reporting to you on what we agree. We want concrete steps and concrete commitments that they are going to stop.”

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