Just over a year ago, President Bush signed into law the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act which mandates science-based catch limits and an end to overfishing in the U.S.  Now the primary threat to sustainable fisheries are the foreign fleets that pillage the worlds oceans by practicing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing or I.U.U. fishing.  We simply cannot allow this high seas piracy.

 

I am committed to making sure that the U.S. has every authority, resource, and tool we need to bring an end to I.U.U. fishing.  The Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act contains international fisheries compliance and monitoring provisions, but there is much more to do. 

 

In December, the President signed into law my legislation requiring NOAA to maintain a list of I.U.U. fishing vessels around the world, so that the U.S. can take action against them in our waters.  I have also DRAFTED a Senate resolution calling for an end to harmful foreign fishing subsidies that lead to I.U.U. fishing, as well as a resolution urging U.S. leadership on efforts to prepare for future management of Arctic Ocean fisheries.  Additionally, I am committed to closing the gaps in international agreements that still leave large areas of the high seas in the North Pacific unregulated.

 

Despite all these efforts, there are still loopholes that allow I.U.U. fish to come into the U.S., and this must stop.  I am currently preparing a bill that would strengthen the laws that make it illegal to trade in fish or fish products harvested from I.U.U. fishing.  This bill would strengthen civil and criminal penalties and establish a strong and effective inter-agency International Fisheries Enforcement Program.  I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort.

 

I thank Ambassador Negroponte for his statement today and his ongoing support for ratifying the Law of the Sea Convention.  Ratifying this Convention would further strengthen our presence in the global effort to sustain our international fisheries.

 

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today.  I would especially like to thank Coast Guard District 17 Commander Rear Admiral Gene Brooks and Dave Benton, Executive Director of the Marine Conservation Alliance, for making the long trip from Alaska to be with us.  I would also like to thank Jim Balsiger who was recently appointed as Acting Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service following many years of service as Alaska’s Regional Director.