WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress has approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, to protect future Arctic Ocean fisheries.  The resolution, S.J. Res.17, directs the United States to work with other nations on agreements for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.  The resolution was approved by the Senate last year, and was passed by the House of Representatives today.  The measure now moves on to President George W. Bush to be signed into law.

“As ocean temperatures change and fish habitats expand northward, we may see valuable fish stocks migrate north into the Arctic Ocean,” said Senator Stevens.  “This resolution directs the United States to pursue international agreements to stop any expansion of fishing in the Arctic Ocean until a science-based fishery management plan can be implemented. After the President signs this resolution, I will work with the State Department to bring this issue to the United Nations.”

“Alaskan fishermen have worked both at home in our own waters, through the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and in international regional fishery organizations to make sure that North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea fisheries are sustainably managed and that management is based on sound science,” said Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska).  “This resolution makes it clear that the United States wants this track record of sound management to continue into new areas of the Arctic Ocean if they become open to fishing. I commend Senator Stevens for taking the lead on this resolution and I hope the State Department will work with us to ensure that Arctic fisheries are well managed through an appropriate international agreement.”

S.J. Res.17 specifically directs the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Arctic nations to negotiate an agreement or agreements for managing migratory, transboundary, and straddling fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.  It states that such agreements should address catch and bycatch limits, harvest allocations, observers, monitoring, data collection and reporting, enforcement, and other elements necessary for sustaining future Arctic fish stocks.  It also directs the United States to consult with the North Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and Alaska Native subsistence communities of the Arctic when developing such agreements.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council recognized the importance of properly managing these emerging fisheries, and it proposed in June 2007 that the United States close all federal waters in the Arctic Ocean until a management regime is put in place.  S.J. Res.17 reinforces the idea that until international agreements are in place, the United States should support efforts to halt the expansion of commercial fishing activities on the high seas of the Arctic Ocean.

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