COMMERCE SECRETARY PROPOSES IMPORT BAN ON SMALL SWORDFISH

NOAA 98-R151

                                        
Contact: Gordon Helm                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                          10/6/98

COMMERCE SECRETARY PROPOSES IMPORT BAN ON SMALL SWORDFISH

Agency answers President's order to help save dwindling Atlantic stocks

The National Marine Fisheries Service has responded to President Clinton's call to ban the sale and import of undersized Atlantic swordfish with new proposals that would require importers to certify that their Atlantic swordfish meet minimum size requirements, the Commerce Department announced today. This action fulfills a key element in President Clinton's Year of the Ocean initiative to promote sustainable use of marine fisheries and other ocean resources.

The draft proposal is intended to enhance enforcement of the minimum size requirement for Atlantic swordfish and implements a 1995 recommendation of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) that controls the harvest of undersized Atlantic swordfish. This proposal is expected to be followed shortly by a proposed management plan to rebuild the swordfish fishery.

The proposal would ban imports of Atlantic swordfish less than 33 pounds, dressed weight (without head, fins, entrails), and would require seafood dealers to obtain permits that would allow them to import swordfish. Under the permit system, dealers would be required to report imports of swordfish from any source, and comply with a certificate of eligibility program for all imports. Under the program, a certificate of eligibility would be required for every import shipment, identifying the shipment by ocean of origin, flag of fishing vessel and, for Atlantic swordfish pieces, certification that they were taken from fish larger than the minimum size.

"Today's action by federal fisheries managers continues the process started by President Clinton at the National Oceans Conference to ban small swordfish imports," said Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley. "The United States is a leading

importer of swordfish and it is up to us to be a world leader in conserving this resource."

Fishing industry representatives and conservationists have both requested that federal managers adopt additional measures to better control the harvest of undersized swordfish.

"We've been concerned that sales of small swordfish in the United States compromise enforcement, which is contrary to the objectives of our national and international conservation efforts to rebuild this fish population," said Terry Garcia, Commerce assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere and deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the management of ocean resources through NOAA Fisheries. "Banning the sale of undersized Atlantic swordfish will also level the playing field for U.S. fishermen who follow the international rules governing these species."

In addition:

The proposed regulations ensure that imports of Atlantic swordfish to the U.S. will meet ICCAT minimum size requirements for the sale of Atlantic swordfish in the United States.
Data collected through the use of certificates of eligibility will provide managers with information showing the source and size of imported swordfish caught by foreign flagged vessels. As a major importer and consumer of Atlantic swordfish, the United States is expected to play a significant role in monitoring total mortality through fully documenting these imports.
Import data will also improve scientific assessments of total fishing mortality.

"This action is another tool for fisheries managers to more effectively manage swordfish stocks," said Rolland Schmitten, director of NOAA Fisheries. "A domestic rebuilding plan, which was requested by both industry and conservationists, is under development and is expected to be distributed for public comment within the next week. The plan contains a number of management alternatives that include a rebuilding program with reduced international quotas, time/area closures, and gear restrictions."

North Atlantic swordfish stocks are considered overfished, with stocks estimated at 58 percent of the level needed for the largest annual yield that could be continuously sustained. South Atlantic and Pacific swordfish stocks are considered fully utilized.

Atlantic swordfish are managed internationally through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), consisting of 22 member nations. More than 30 countries harvest North Atlantic swordfish. Under ICCAT, the U.S. share of the total North Atlantic swordfish quota (11,000 metric tons) is 29 percent (3,190 metric tons) of the 1998 total. The domestic rebuilding plan, when finalized, will likely be the focus of international discussion at the 1999 ICCAT meeting.

During his speech at the National Oceans Conference in Monterey, Calif., on June 12, 1998, President Clinton said, "We must do more to restore precious marine resources." The president called on NOAA to create sustainable fisheries, rebuild fish stocks within 10 years, work with industry to develop new technologies to reduce bycatch, protect essential fish habitats, and ban the sale and import of undersized Atlantic swordfish.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the undersized swordfish ban proposal. Several public hearings will be held to gather public comment. A list of those hearings will be made available at a later date. In addition, the public is welcome to send written comments to: Rebecca Lent, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. 20910.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is the NOAA agency responsible for managing and conserving marine resources in federal waters (from state waters out to 200 miles from shore). NOAA Fisheries scientists and managers study marine resource populations, monitor and protect many marine species under the Endangered Species Act, (including whales, salmon and sea turtles) and other marine animals through the Marine Mammal Protection Act.