The U.S. bears some guilt because in the Truman Proclamation of September 26. 1945, a policy was enunciated with regard to "coastal fisheries." We fishermen don't like to miss any opportunity to point up the need for additional National concern with fisheries. Mr. Truman spoke of fish in these terms: "Having due regard to conditions peculiar to each region and situation and to the special rights and equities of the coastal state and of any other state which may have established a legitimate interest therein. However, the association of fish with the Continental Shelf grieves me, in view of the particular enphasis on the seabed and subsoil, and the careful language of the Convention itself, which states: "Article 2, paragraph 4.-The natural resources referred to in these articles consist of the mineral and other nonliving resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical contact with the sealed or the subsoil." This language is no accident. Yet, there remain a few States which continue a Fish-Shelf association, which actually connotes a widespread control area for the State fortunate enough to have a large shelf, but which is at odds with the other concepts upon which there is general agreement. The exploitation of the seabed and subsoil is receiving serious attention at this very moment. The Marine Technological Society is even now meeting in Washington in a three-day conference studded with speaker-luminaries and backed to the hilt by large U.S. corporations ready to go. It is fortunate that there are some international guidelines in the 1958 Convention on the Continental Shelf, and we have long had domestic legislation in this area in the Submerged Lands Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Persons seeking Treasure Trove in wrecked Spanish galleons in my home State of Florida are having some trouble with ships lying outside the 3-mile limit . . One very clear use of the above-quoted Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Convention on the Continental Shelf occurred recently when the burgeoning king crab industry of Alaska was disturbed by the trawling activities of Japanese and Soviet fishing fleets. An artificial 12-mile fishing zone would afford little or no protection to this valuable industry. It was found, after scientific investigation, that the king crab, at the harvestable stage, is in constant physical association with the Continental Shelf, and thus classifiable, as the oyster, sponges, coral, conch and the sacred chank of India and Ceylon, as a part of the shelf. The other States involved have accepted this intepretation as a resolution of an intricate and sore controversy. CONCLUSION It is evident that although we progress slowly in the field of the Law of the Sea there are definite gains from sitting down to the conference table and going over these many problems with our neighbors in the community of States. Bilateral and multilateral agreements have been facilitated because of the guidelines set forth in the Geneva conventions. Fourteen European States have amicably resolved a number of problems in the North Sea. It seems likely that further international discussions concerning fishery matters will be held not later than 1968 at a conference to be hosted by the U.S., the avowed purpose of which will be to give implementation to principles already enunciated at Geneva in 1958. We can never overstress the importance of having some indicia of international agreement as the basis from which to argue and settle, rather than finding ourselves in the Tower of Babel, speaking in different tongues, 20 59 Stat. 884. Presidential Proclamation No. 2667. 21 Marjorie M. Whiteman: Conference on the Law of the Sea: Convention on the Continental Shelf, Am. J. Int. Law, Vol. 52, No. 4, October, 1958, pages 638–641. This is an outstanding treatise on this Convention. Miss Whiteman, an Assistant Legal Adviser to the Department of State was the U.S. spokesman in Committee IV. 22 Notably Argentina, Cambodia, Korea, Nicaragua, Panama. Tunisian sea follows the 50 meter isobath or part of the coast (maximum 65 miles). In the U.S. Congressmen Pelly and Wyatt have introduced bills (H.R. 14961 and 15011) to establish U.S. jurisdiction to seaward boundary lines drawn following the 200 meter depth contour. 23 67 Stat. 29. 43 U.S.C. 1301–1315. 24 67 Stat. 462, 43 U.S.C. 1331-1343. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: During the course of the hearing on S.J. Res. 29 by the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation on August 24, 1966, the Chairman, Congressman Dingell, requested any information we may have that would update the information given to the Committee recently in an executive session held to hear a report on the understanding with the U.S.S.R. concerning their fishing activities off the west coast of the United States (transcript page 21). We understand that the Department of State wrote to Mr. Dingell on August 15 explaining the current situation on these negotiations. Basically, the situation is that all measures proposed at the meeting were endorsed by the Soviet delegation subject to final approval by the Soviet Minister of Fisheries. The chairman of the Soviet delegation indicated that we will receive a reply from the Minister of Fisheries within about one month after the conclusion of the meeting in Moscow. We should, therefore, hear from the Soviets by the end of this week or early next week. At the same time, Mr. Dingell expressed the expectation that the Committee would be kept advised concerning foreign fishing activities off our coasts. In this connection we will send periodically to the Committee, to the attention of Mr. Ned Everett, our "Report on Foreign Fisheries off U.S. Coasts." Enclosed is a copy of the last report for July 1966. Sincerely yours, DONALD L. McKERNAN, Director. AUGUST 11, 1966. U.S. BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES-REPORT ON FOREIGN FISHERIES OFF U.S. COASTS (July 1966) IN NORTHWEST ATLANTIC Soviet: Dense fog blanketed the Georges Bank area during the greater part of July and restricted aerial observations. Only a limited assessment of Soviet activity was possible. The best estimates show that the number of Soviet fishing vessels decreased from 150 vessels early in the month to about 125 by month's end. Increased Soviet activity along the eastern Nova Scotia areas was responsible for the decline. A total of 105 vessels (exclusive of duplication) were sighted during the month and identified as 23 factory stern trawlers, 6 freezer stern trawlers, 8 large refrigerated side trawlers, 16 medium refrigerated side trawlers, 43 medium side trawlers, 4 refrigerated fish transports, 4 factory base ships, and one seiner-type vessel which was not rigged for fishing. This compares to 161 vessels sighted during June 1966. During July 1965 there was a complete withdrawal of Soviet vessels from Georges Bank to eastern Nova Scotia areas. The fleet was divided into two operational areas of Georges Bank. Fifty or more vessels (mostly side trawlers and processing ships) were operating in a 40-mile area southeast and east of the Nantucket lightship (southwest part of Georges Bank) and fishing in depths of 50 to 75 fathoms. The majority of the vessels were actively engaged in fishing. The principal species of fish taken by this group appeared to be primarily whiting with some evidence of red hake and herring. An equal number of vessels (stern trawlers, side trawlers and fish transports) were scattered over a 40-mile area extending east and west from Corsair Canyon to the Georges Shoals (southeast part of Georges Bank). The heavy to moderate catches of fish appeared to be primarily herring. The fish were covered with canvas which made identification of the species more difficult. It is assumed this covering was used to protect the fish from sun and heat. When substantial amounts of fish are left in open storage it tends to establish that their catches may be in excess of the vessel's processing facilities. There was some indication that the Soviets were increasing effort in harvesting herring. The catches of herring by the Soviets on Georges Bank dropped sharply in 1965. This was caused by a reduction in effort because of a decline in consumer demand. A small number of stern trawlers fished intermittently in the vicinity of Cultivator Shoals 80 miles east of Cape Cod. The fish visible on deck appeared to be haddock. Crews were observed culling and dressing the fish. U.S. fishermen have reported some abundance of haddock from that area. Polish: Four Polish factory stern trawlers were sighted in the Georges Bank area. Their catches of fish appeared to be herring and whiting. Five similar vessels were sighted on Georges Bank during September 1965. Romanian: One Romanian factory stern trawler was sighted among the Soviet fleet on the southeast part of Georges Bank. Two such vessels were observed on Georges Bank in 1965. OFF MID-ATLANTIC Soviet: No vessels of the Soviet fishing fleet were sighted off the U.S. midAtlantic coast during July. Soviet fishing vessels were last observed in this area in May 1966 and moved north to fish in the vicinity of Georges Bank off New England. IN GULF OF MEXICO AND CARIBBEAN Cuban: No Cuban vessels were reported fishing close to U.S. coasts in the Gulf of Mexico during July. Although 13 fishing craft were identified as Cuban, these vessels were engaged in fishing close to the Cuban coast. Soviet: No Soviet fishing vessels were reported active close to U.S. shores in the Gulf area in July. Although not confirmed by reports received during the month, it is believed possible that about 12 Soviet fishing vessels reported in June are still active in the general area of Campeche Banks off the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. OFF PACIFIC NORTHWEST (WASHINGTON AND OREGON STATES) Soviet: Throughout July 1966, a Soviet fishing fleet operated off the Washington coast primarily for Pacific hake. This fleet, consisting of stern trawlers, side trawlers, and support vessels, moved up and down the coast working on the heaviest concentrations. Upon leaving an area, at least one scout vessel was left behind to check on the abundance of fish. When the fish schooled again in the area. a portion of the fleet would return. Previously, the fleet had concentrated on Pacific ocean perch and other rockfish, but beginning in June, hake was the principal species fished. During July, U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries management agents, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard, continued surface and aerial surveil lance of Soviet fishing fleet activities off the Pacific Northwest coasts. At no time was a Soviet vessel observed within United States territorial waters nor were any vessels seen gill-netting salmon. The greatest number of Soviet vessels to appear off the Pacific Northwest coast was on July 7, when Bureau of Commercial Fisheries agents counted 109 Soviet vessels off the Washington Coast. On July 20, 94 vessels were sighted in the area, but by the end of the month the fleet was back up to 106. OFF ALASKA Soviet: Fishing effort in the Gulf of Alaska during July was reduced to about 50 vessels, half as many as in June and the lowest level since the winter of 1963-64. This resulted from the transfer of the perch fleets to off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Only a few factory trawlers and one freezer trawler conducted perch operations in the Gulf during July. A smail fleet of trawlers fished for perch along the central and western Aleutians. The three Soviet king crab fleets, composed of three factory ships and about eleven tangle net setting trawlers, terminated operations on the Bristol Bay flats by mid-month. One of the three Soviet whaling fleets operating in the North Pacific was reported in the western Aleutians. The remaining two fleets conducted operations in the eastern and central North Pacific. Japanese: At the end of July, about 200 Japanese fishing and support vessels were operating in waters off Alaska (around the same number as at the end of June). The high-seas salmon mothership fleet ended operations on July 12 and returned to Japan. About 20 Japanese vessels (factoryships and trawlers) continued fishing for ocean perch in the central and western Gulf of Alaska. One fleet of 3 vessels, operating in this fishery in June, had left. Four Japanese fish meal factoryships with about 100 trawlers continued operations in the eastern and central Bering Sea. In the shrimp fishery, one small factoryship and about 15 trawlers continued fishing north of the Pribilof Islands. Two other trawlers continued shrimp fishing in the area of the Shumagin Islands. Two king crab factoryships accompanied by 10 catcher boats continued fishing throughout the month on the Bristol Bay flats. As at the end of June, 3 whaling factoryships and their 30 killer boats were spread from the western Gulf of Alaska to the far Aleutian chain. In late July, when it appeared that the pink salmon catch in the Cook Inlet area would exceed the capacity of the area's canneries, the Governor of Alaska invited the Japanese to purchase the surplus fish. As a result, five Japanese stern trawlers, already operating in the Gulf, were dispatched to Cook Inlet to buy and freeze salmon. Generally, the observations were made by the staffs of the field Fisheries Resource Management Offices, U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, which conduct weekly reconnaissance flights cooperatively with the U.S. Coast Guard. NATIONAL CANNERS ASSOCIATION, Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: We would like to express for the record our strong support for Senate Joint Resolution 29, which was recently passed by the Senate and is currently pending before your Committee, which would authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive survey of U.S. commercial fishery resources. Such a survey is long overdue. The last overall study of this country's commercial fishery resources was undertaken 22 years ago, and a study of this nature is sorely needed by the U.S. commercial fishing industry. The fishing industry in this country is severely handicapped by a lack of accurate, up-to-date scientific knowledge of our fisheries resources. The United States has failed to keep pace with other major fishing nations of the world whose aggressive research efforts have paid off in larger and larger commercial catches by their fishermen. The catch of our commercial fishermen has failed to keep up with domestic demands, and each year a larger share of the U.S. market for fishery products goes, by default, to foreign imports. In addition to the needs of the commercial fishing industry, it goes without saying that the United States cannot hope to successfully conserve and develop her valuable marine resources without complete and accurate information regarding the extent, condition, and potential of these resources. Therefore, we respectfully urge that the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee take prompt and favorable action on Senate Joint Resolution 29, and we hope that the House will act quickly to pass the Resolution. With kindest regards. Sincerely yours, RONALD W. DE LUCIEN, Director, Fishery Products Program. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAMMALOGISTS, Stillwater, Okla., August 2, 1966. Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Chairman, House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. GARMATZ: At the meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists in June the following resolution pertaining to the Pribilof Islands was passed: MAINTAINING THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS FUR SEAL RESERVATION Whereas the Pribilof Islands were set aside March 3, 1869 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress principally as a special reservation to conserve, manage, and protect the North Pacific fur seals and other wildlife; and Whereas a proposed bill S 2102, known as the Fur Seal Act of 1965, would establish a townsite on St. Paul Island and give title to land in this townsite to natives of St. Paul Island; and Whereas on St. Paul Island two fur seal rookeries, Lagoon and Spilki, that were near the present village have now disappeared; and Whereas the present village on St. Paul Island is growing in population and will increase appreciably through transfer of St. George village; and Whereas rookeries having 42 percent of the St. Paul Island seals are within about 1 mile of St. Paul Village; and Whereas a growing number of people will exert increasing influence, through their activities and by their wastes, on the fur seals; and Whereas protection of the fur seal population may require a change in the village location or a limitation on its size; and Whereas such changes will be increasingly difficult to make if individual natives own title to land: Therefore be it Resolved, That the American Society of Mammalogists urges the Senate Commerce Committee, Chairman, Senator Warren G. Magnuson, to amend $2102 so as to prevent the transfer to any individual of title to land on the Pribilof Island Fur Seal Reservation. Senator Magnuson informs me that this bill, S. 2102 is now in the hands of your committee. I hope that your committee will seriously consider the implica tions of the provisions in this bill that are referred to in the resolution and consider this matter in the light of what is best for this irreplaceable natural resource. A copy of this resolution has been placed in the hands of the Executive Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences. Sincerely yours, BRYAN P. GLASS, (Whereupon, at 12:10 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, subject to call.) о |