detection and classification capability of remote sensing techniques 

 were established with respect to selected measures of performance that 

 relate to inherent capability. That is, the study establishes the po- 

 tential of a given technique to perform certain detection and classifica- 

 tion functions. This information can then be used in more detailed 

 studies to establish the potential contribution of the technique to the 

 performance of any desired enforcement mission. 



A second significant characteristic of the enforcement problem is 

 that the act provides for control of foreign fishing vessels. Since 

 fishing is only one of many maritime activities taking place within 

 200 nmi of U.S. shores, this means that not only must fishing vessels 

 be identified within the mixture of all maritime traffic (merchant 

 vessels, warships, recreational craft, etc.) but that foreign fishing 

 vessels must be identified separately within the larger population of 

 all fishing vessels. Moreover, since fishing is not, in general, to be 

 prohibited to foreign vessels but is to be regulated under a permit 

 system, foreign fishing vessels, once identified, must be classified 

 with respect to their activity so that their observed activity can be 

 compared with the activity permitted by a valid permit. Only when all 

 of these detection and classification functions have been performed can 

 it be determined what, if any, enforcement action is justified with re- 

 spect to any particular vessel. 



An important feature of the act that affects performance of the 

 detection and classification functions described above is the provision 

 that the U.S. government may require foreign fishing vessels to carry 

 and operate appropriate position fixing and identification equipment. 



The act also provides for the establishment of a National Fishery 

 Management Program that may at some future date provide for some kind 

 of regulation of U.S. fishing vessels in the 200-nmi zone. Until then, 

 however, only foreign fishing is controlled by the act. 



15 



