WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate last night approved S.J. Res.17, directing the United States to begin international discussions to negotiate an agreement to manage migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.  The resolution was introduced by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and is cosponsored by Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Sununu (R-N.H.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).  The resolution would carry the force of law if passed by Congress and signed by the President.

“The United States must begin working with other nations to develop a framework for managing emerging fisheries in the high seas of the Arctic Ocean,” said Senator Stevens.  “With sound science as our foundation, we can ensure the sustainability of this critical resource.”

S.J. Res.17 directs the United States to begin international discussions to negotiate an agreement to manage migratory and transboundary 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.  Also, the United States should 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 proposed in June 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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