19 



With regard to the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, we remain seri- 

 ously concerned over continuing reports of fishing inconsistent with the moratorium 

 and European laws by some vessels from European countries. We have repeatedly 

 encouraged the relevant governments to take responsible enforcement action to en- 

 sure that vessels flying their flag are in compliance with the moratorium. They re- 

 port that they have implemented more stringent enforcement procedures. We are 

 also seeking independently to confirm reports of activity inconsistent with the mora- 

 torium, ana will continue to follow this issue closely. 



SEA OF OKHOTSK "PEANUT HOLE" 



Mr. Chairman, related to the "Donut Hole," I would like to note that there are 

 occasionally rumors that some U.S. vessels may wish to enter the Sea of Okhotsk 

 off the Russian Far East. There are indications that they may wish to fish in the 

 high seas 'Peanut Hole" area of that sea. 



The central Sea of Okhotsk "Peanut Hole" area is currently facing a very serious 

 conservation problem with its pollock stocks, not unlike the central Bering Sea 

 "Donut Hole." Vessels of Japan, Korea, China, and Poland have in recent years been 

 fishing without restraint in the "Peanut Hole" on its pollock stocks. As a result, the 

 stocks have reportedly been decimated. 



Negotiations initiated by Russia with the fishing countries have been unsuccessful 

 toward reaching an agreement to conserve and manage the stock. Were U.S. vessels 

 to enter the "Peanut Hole," our cooperation with Russia on a broad range of fishery 

 issues would be jeopardized and implementation of the "Donut Hole Agreement 

 could be frustrated. 



However, a bill pending before the Committee would solve this problem. On No- 

 vember 11, 1993 H.R. 3188, the Sea of Okhotsk Fisheries Enforcement Act of 1993, 

 was referred to the Committee, after having been passed by the House of Represent- 

 atives. The Administration strongly recommends and supports enactment of the bill. 



The bill would amend the Central Bering Sea Fisheries Enforcement Act of 1992. 

 It would expand the prohibition on U.S. vessels and nationals from conducting fish- 

 ing operations in the central Bering Sea, except where such fishing operations are 

 conducted in accordance with an international fishery agreement to which the Unit- 

 ed States and Russia are parties, to include the central Sea of Okhotsk. 



Enactment of the bill would further our bilateral efTorts, particularly with Russia, 

 to protect the marine environment and to ensure sustainable fisheries in the central 

 Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. It would fulfill the intention of Presidents Clin- 

 ton and Yeltsin, as announced at the Vancouver Summit in April 1993, to expand 

 and improve joint work in the -area of environmental protection, including further 

 development of bilateral cooperation on fisheries in the Bering Sea, the North Pa- 

 cific Ocean, and the Sea of Okhotsk, including for the purpose of preservation and 

 reproduction of living marine resources. 



I urge the Committee to expeditiously consider and take favorable action on the 

 bill. 



FAO CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHING 



Mr. Chairman, in addition to the FAO "Flagging Agreement," I am pleased to re- 



fiort that the FAO is working to develop a broader International Code of Conduct 

 or Responsible Fishing, which the United States is actively involved with. The Code 

 will address such areas as fishing operations, fishery management practices, fair 

 trade practices, aquaculture development, coastal fisneries and coastal area man- 

 agement, and fishery research. 



Earlier this year the FAO drafted the General Principles of the Code. Informal 

 technical consultations are scheduled to continue this fall to finalize the General 

 Principles and to begin considering the thematic areas of the Code in more detail. 

 The FAO Committee on Fisheries is expected to further develop the Code at its 

 meeting next spring. The FAO should conclude its work on the Code and adopt it 

 by the end of next year. 



The Code will be voluntary in nature. It should greatly advance responsible fish- 

 ing everywhere — in coastal areas as well as on the hign seas. The United States 

 fully supf)orts development of the Code and will continue to be an active participant 

 in discussions on the Code. 



SOUTH PACIFIC FISHERIES 



One of the most fruitful international fisheries agreements to which the United 

 States is a party is the 'Treaty on fisheries Between the Governments of Certain 

 Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America," popu- 

 larly known as the "South Pacific Regional Fisheries Treaty." The treaty entered 



