5) What is the status of the resource? Is 

 there foreign competition for the same 

 resource or another species in the same 

 ecosystem? Can the resource be 

 enhanced or the yield increased? Are 

 there other underutilized resources 

 available for the same industry? 



6) What is the economic condition of the in- 

 dustry? What future changes are likely 

 with assistance programs and would they 

 provide short-term or long-term solu- 

 tions? 



These questions could be tested on specific 

 industry segments and with specific 

 revitalization proposals in order to develop a 

 comprehensive program which addresses na- 

 tional needs most completely. 



That job could be undertaken by a commit- 

 tee of representatives from each of the 

 Regional Councils. The council committee 

 could synthesize information on industry 

 needs which has been collected by the East- 

 land Survey, the General Accounting Office, 

 OTA, and NMFS. The council committee 

 could then identify important information 

 which is still missing, gather that information 

 itself or through contracts, and recommend a 

 specific course of action for Congress to follow 

 if it desires to take legislative action which 

 could encourage growth in the fishing indus- 

 try. The council committee could also recom- 

 mend specific changes which could be made 

 administratively by NMFS, NOAA, or other 

 agencies currently responsible for programs 

 which include financial aid, research or infor- 

 mation pertinent to the fishing industry. 



104 



