(5) Sole jurisdiction over the resources (as defined in the 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf) of the adjacent continental shelf (as defined in the 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf). (6) Jurisdiction over the resources of the adjacent continental shelf divided as among the governments of the several States and of the Union in accordance with the provisions of the "Submerged Lands Act of 1953" and the "Outer Continental Shelf Act of 1953", as adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. (7) The regime of the High Seas managed in accordance with the provisions of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas. (8) The administration of ocean affairs in the United States Government organized along the lines of the Muskie Bill, S. 2251. (9) Adequate support funds from the United States budget to implement the research and other activities called for by the recommendations set out above. (10) Adequate attention at the White House level to a National Ocean Strategy, a National Ocean Program with which to implement it, and a National Ocean Budget with which to fund the program. Under existing circumstances we cannot foresee any advantage to the United States fisheries from a 12-mile fishery limit which would equal the disadvantages that such a policy would bring to overall United States interests in coastal waters. We hope that your Committee will block the passage of this legislation. You will note that subsequent to the passage of this legislation by the Senate other substantial elements of the domestic fisheries have studied the implications of this measure on their affairs and have taken views opposing it. At the very least we hope that your committee will hold over consideration of this legislation until the next session of the Congress so that mature consideration may be given to the deep seated effects of it on national and international policy and actions. We think it would be a major error to pass such legislation under hysterical thrust of fear of Russian competition, which, in our considered view, has little to do with the status or prospects of the United States domestic fisheries. We would be obliged if you would print this statement in any record of hearings published by the Committee in respect of this legislation. Sincerely yours, W. M. CHAPMAN, Director, Division of Resources. ATLANTIC CITY MARINA YACHT CLUB, THOMAS C. MCGRATH, Jr., DEAR SIR: I have been directed by our club to contact you in regards to the present practice of the Russian fishing trawlers fishing off our coast. They are greatly interfering with our commercial and sport fishing. As you know one boat in our area had his nets fouled by a Russian trawler recently with great financial lost to the owners and crew. We would like to suggest that the continental limits of the United States be extended to the 100 Fathom curve. Could you please see just what can be done on this important matter. Thanking you for your concern. Very truly yours, JOHN J. FOLEY, Secretary. THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA, INC., Hon. JOHN D. DINGELL, have made it clear that the 3-mile limit is outmoded in terms of natural resources conservation, including fisheries management. The League believes that the United States must devote greater attention to her coastal and offshore waters, and that enactment of this legislation would be a sound first step toward better handling of the whole marine environment. Respectfully, ROBERT T. DENNIS, Assistant Conservation Director, IWLA. NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Chairman, House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The National Wildlife Federation appreciates the invitation and opportunity to comment briefly upon H.R. 9531 and H.R. 14961, "to establish a contiguous fisheries zone beyond the territorial sea of the United States." We should appreciate it if this letter can be made a part of the record of hearings currently being held on these proposals. The National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates in 49 states are vitally concerned with the preservation of oceanic water resources. We are convinced that these waters will play an increasingly important part in providing public outdoor recreation in the future and long have supported measures which would lead to the improvement of fishing opportunities. As indicated in publications distributed by our organization, we have also become increasingly concerned about certain species of game fisheries which may be in jeopardy due to excessive overharvest particularly by commercial interests. We believe all of these factors highlight the need for additional research on the development of management techniques. In view of the foregoing, we believe it would be advantageous to create an additional zone of nine nautical miles from the outer limits of the current threemile territorial sea. We believe the extension of this zone would permit greater control of the harvest of fishes which are sought by both sport and commercial fishermen. We also believe that the extension of this zone would help develop information needed for proper fisheries management. In some specific areas, there also is a concern about the control of factors, such as dredging, which are harmful to fisheries and shellfisheries habitat and the extension of responsibilities well could lead to beneficial controls of problem situations. We are aware that a strong cooperative attitude must be maintained between appropriate agencies of the Federal Government and the state governments concerned with respect to the management of fisheries resources in territorial waters of the United States, and believe the extension proposed to the twelvemile limit would be of mutual benefit and advantage. We also understand that the Canadian Parliament has taken a similar action with respect to the establishment of a twelve-mile zone off its coast. Thank you for the opportunity of making these remarks. Sincerely, THOMAS L. KIMBALL, Executive Director. (Whereupon, at 11 a.m., the hearings closed, and the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene at the call of the Chair.) HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY OF THE COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON H.R. 15192, H.R. 15471, H.R. 15569 BILLS TO AMEND TITLE II OF THE MERCHANT MARINE ACT, 1936, TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF SEA GRANT COLLEGES AND CERTAIN EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Maryland, Chairman LEONOR K. (MRS. JOHN B.) SULLIVAN, Missouri FRANK M. CLARK, Pennyslvania THOMAS L. ASHLEY, Ohio FRANK A. STUBBLEFIELD, Kentucky JACOB H. GILBERT, New York J. RUSSELL TUTEN, Georgia WILLIAM L. ST. ONGE, Connecticut RAYMOND F. CLEVENGER, Michigan JOSEPH E. KARTH, Minnesota WILLIAM D. HATHAWAY, Maine LERA (MRS. ALBERT) THOMAS, Texas WILLIAM S. MAILLIARD, California THOMAS M. PELLY, Washington STANLEY R. TUPPER, Maine CHARLES A. MOSHER, Ohio JAMES R. GROVER, JR., New York ROGERS C. B. MORTON, Maryland HASTINGS KEITH, Massachusetts JACK EDWARDS, Alabama G. ROBERT WATKINS, Pennsylvania ED REINECKE, California |