<home> -- <press releases> News from Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo Congresswoman Bordallo Chairs Hearing on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Bordallo today convened a legislative hearing in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife on H.R. 1080, a bill aimed to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. If signed into law, H.R. 1080 would give federal authorities more power to inspect fishing vessels and would increase penalties for those in violation of fishing regulations. Strengthening IUU enforcement mechanisms helps to level the playing field for U.S. fishermen whose efforts are undermined by those who fish illegally and has implications for sustainable international fisheries that benefit the world’s marine ecosystems. The bill would also set aside $5 million annually for an international cooperation and assistance program to provide funding and technical expertise to other nations to help them address IUU fishing. During the 110th Congress, Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii introduced a similar measure, but the bill did not advance through the Senate. “Illegal fishing is estimated to account for between 11 and 19 percent of all fish harvesting, creating a black market worth between $10 and $25 billion and contributing to the widespread collapse of ocean fish stocks,” Congresswoman Bordallo said today. “Illegal fishing off of Guam’s waters undermines local fisheries management and the efforts of our fishermen. Fishing vessels from all across the Asia Pacific region have been known to fish in Guam’s waters, and H.R. 1080 would provide more authority to agencies to ensure that those fishing vessels are not in violation of fishing regulations.” # # # matthew.mateo@mail.house.gov or krystal.agustin@mail.house.gov |
