congressional_record: CREC-2006-12-27-pt1-PgE2243
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-2006-12-27-pt1-PgE2243 | 2006-12-27 | 109 | 2 | MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2006 | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | ALLOTHER | E2243 | E2243 | [{"name": "Jay Inslee", "role": "speaking"}] | [{"congress": "109", "type": "HR", "number": "5946"}] | 152 Cong. Rec. E2243 | Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 136 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006) [Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 136 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E2243] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2006 ______ speech of HON. JAY INSLEE of washington in the house of representatives Friday, December 8, 2006 Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5946, a bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This bill is critically important as it will improve the management of our Nation's fisheries, providing a better future for tomorrow. Among other things, the bill ensures that the role of science in the fishery management decision-making process requires annual harvest limits at sustainable levels for virtually all U.S. fisheries and sets out a clear process for ending overfishing where it is occurring. These strict conservation measures are already in effect in the fisheries of the northwest--I am pleased that our management successes will now be replicated in all other regions. Another key advancement for our Nation's fisheries in this bill is Congress' clarification that certain processes going through the Council process currently will not be negatively affected by the positive changes in current law. Specifically, the cap and trade systems will improve the economics of fishing and enhance the safety of our fishing fleets. Our existing cap and trade programs for sulfur dioxide--which have cut down on acid rain--are being replicated within our fisheries management systems. These programs have helped in curbing some of the effects of global warming, they will now improve fisheries conservation. I am also pleased that the new legislation will not disrupt the ongoing efforts by the Pacific Fishery Management Council to enhance the management of its ground fish fisheries. The Pacific Council is working diligently to develop a cap and trade or ``rationalization'' program for its ground fish fisheries. This process has been underway for more than 3 years, and is nearing completion. While the bill requires the Pacific Council to implement an appropriate ground fish management program within 24 months from the date of enactment, and to meet other requirements in law, it does not require the Pacific Council to begin anew in developing that program. Yet another important provision included in this legislation will create a study on the effects of ocean acidification within the National Research Council. Research into the impacts of high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the oceans is in its infancy and needs to be developed rapidly. This study is a first step in understanding the problems our oceans will face. The provisions included in this bill requiring the scientific and statistical committees to provide Councils with recommendations for allowable biological catch, preventing overfishing and achieving rebuilding targets are perhaps the most important. I will be closely following the performances of the regional fisheries councils, their decisions regarding harvest, and their operation and utilization of their respective scientific and statistical committees, as well as the council's use of their scientific and statistical committees' recommendations. The oceans are absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and this is causing chemical changes by making the oceans more acidic (that is, decreasing the pH of the oceans). In the past 200 years the oceans have absorbed approximately half of the CO2 produced by fossil fuel burning and cement production. Future generations will benefit greatly from the governments research into this subject. Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is a positive step on the road to the healthy management of our ocean systems. I look forward to working with the Resources Committee in the 110th Congress on other positive steps to ensure that our oceans are safe and healthy for future generations. ____________________ |