WELCOME TO BILL'S CORNER!June/July 2006 | (archive)Dear Constituents,
It's shaping up to be a busy summer! June was an important month for the oceans, and I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about what we've been up to. I was proud to head the United States delegation at the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission June 9 to 20 in St. Kitts. These were tough negotiations because for the first time the pro-whaling nations gained a simple voting majority within the IWC. Many key decisions are decided by a simple majority vote including resolutions, the use of secret ballots, and the creation or dissolution of committees. The commercial whaling moratorium is not in jeopardy at the moment since it would take a three-fourths majority vote to lift it. The United States will be diligent in efforts to maintain the moratorium. We know that commercial whaling in our recent past led to the endangerment of valuable whale species, many of which are still struggling to recover. Though some whale species are not threatened, we're determined not to repeat mistakes of the past. As the newly elected chairman of the IWC, I will continue to represent America's values, using diplomacy and education to urge member nations not to overturn this important international protection for whales. We have other important work to accomplish at the IWC. In 2007 the United States' 5-year bowhead and gray whale quotas are up for renewal. The IWC has also been working for many years to implement a revised management scheme. If the whaling moratorium were ever lifted, this management scheme would be essential since it would include control and oversight mechanisms. Some countries continue whaling despite the moratorium – either they have a reservation against the commercial whaling moratorium or they do it under the guise of scientific research. These are issues we will continue to work through during next year's meeting, which the United States will host in Anchorage. Domestically, we've proposed new regulations to help right whales recover from depletion due to past commercial whaling. Today the biggest threats to these critically endangered animals are entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes. On June 23 we announced a proposal to help prevent ship strikes by restricting the speed of large ships to 10 knots or less in areas along the east coast during times of year when right whales are calving and migrating. The proposal also calls for continued aerial surveys, advisories, reporting, and other important measures that will be necessary if we are to save this magnificent animal from extinction. Biologists say that every single right whale is important to the future of the species, and we are determined to help them recover and survive. On the fisheries front, we released our annual status of U.S. fish stocks report to Congress on June 20. This year's report shows that we rebuilt Pacific lingcod three years ahead of schedule. When you look at the total numbers, 74 percent of the nation's fisheries are healthy. Some media reports and editorials have incorrectly stated that we haven't made much headway in the past 10 years since passage of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. Since most rebuilding plans were implemented in mid-2000 or later, and this report uses scientific assessments through 2005, we're reporting on rebuilding progress that took place over less than a five year period for most stocks. Since 2000 we've fully restored six species and have taken 17 off the overfished list as they continue rebuilding. This year's announcement included a list of key actions taken by each council to stop overfishing and rebuild depleted fisheries. After reviewing this list of actions, it would be difficult for anyone to claim that the councils and NOAA are not working diligently on behalf of the nation to restore fisheries that became depleted over decades in the mid-20th century. I can assure you that we are on track and fisheries are recovering. This year's report reflects that progress. The President and the Congress also have been focused on the oceans this summer. On June 15, President Bush designated the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as a national monument. The marine waters surrounding these islands now constitute the largest conservation area in the world. This designation will assure the long-term protection of the valuable marine ecosystem in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. The president called for a phase-out of commercial fishing over the next five years, and joint management of the area by the Department of Interior and NOAA, along with the State of Hawaii. The president was inspired to make this designation earlier this year after viewing a PBS documentary about the islands produced by Jean-Michel Cousteau, Voyage to Kure. Cousteau's film highlights the importance of the area because of its unique coral formations, important habitats for monk seals, sea birds, and other endangered animals, and its overall worth to the country as a pristine ecosystem. The president encouraged everyone to view the film to gain a greater appreciation of this designation and its historical significance, so I've included a link below to more information. Finally, Congress made great strides toward reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act on June 20 when the Senate passed its version of the bill. We now await the House version so a final reauthorization bill can be negotiated in conference. During Capitol Hill Oceans Week in early June and during the Northwest Hawaiian Islands announcement, the president signaled his great desire to see Magnuson-Stevens reauthorized so that we can improve our management system and expedite rebuilding progress. In both announcements, the president called for an end to overfishing and asked the Congress for help to that end. The Administration's version of the bill, which we submitted to Congress as a basis for discussion last summer, included several new tools to help fisheries managers end overfishing and manage fisheries in a way that makes good sense for both business and the environment. We look forward to a robust final bill that will help us achieve these important mutual goals. As we look to the fall, among our big initiatives is the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, slated for November in Croatia. We have big things to discuss this year, as we will soon receive the latest stock assessments for bluefin tuna and swordfish. A recent paper issued by the World Wildlife Fund cast a spotlight on bluefin tuna overfishing in the eastern Atlantic and the emergence of bluefin tuna farms in the Mediterranean. I was interviewed this month by Time Magazine about the topic as the current chair of ICCAT, so undoubtedly we can expect more awareness and attention on this issue in the coming months. I'll keep you posted on these issues as we get closer to the meeting. I hope all of our constituents are taking time this summer to enjoy the outdoors with your families.  Bill Hogarth Director, National Marine Fisheries Service References International Whaling Commission Status of U.S. Fish Stocks, 2005 Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Monument Designation |
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