18 



to look at what we could do to move that right along, because it 

 is a severe problem we have got to deal with in the gulf and in 

 other regions, and we cannot just keep shoving it off into the fu- 

 ture. 



[The information referred to follows:] 



The issue of by-catch in the gulf shrimp fishery will be addressed using funds re- 

 quested in the FY 1994 budget under the MARFIN and Sea Grant Programs. This 

 is consistent with the funding approach to address this problem over the past sev- 

 eral years. In addition, should funding be available under the S-K program in FY 

 1994, by-catch reduction projects for the gulf shrimp fishery will be given a high 

 priority. We believe that these funding sources provide an adequate base from which 

 this issue can be addressed. 



Dr. Foster. That is correct. 



Senator Lott. Do you want to address the others? 



Dr. Foster. Let us see, highly migratory? 



Senator Lott. Yes. 



Dr. Foster. We have been playing catch up, you might say. Over 

 the past year we have managed to find funding from existing pro- 

 grams to set up a highly migratory division in fisheries manage- 

 ment. We have actually come out with — done some work on sword- 

 fish and bluefin tuna. 



You know, we expect there will be some discussion this year, 

 during Magnuson Act reauthorization hearings, as to whether or 

 not the highly migratory responsibility should remain with us or 

 whether or not it should be given to the councils. 



But right now, we feel that we are in a position to actually do 

 some good, make things happen. 



Senator Lott. Dr. Baker, I understand that NOAA proposes to 

 eliminate 144 positions. Where are you going to eliminate those po- 

 sitions? 



Dr. Baker. That is a good question. I do not believe we have 

 identified where we would do that. 



Mr. Moxam. That is correct. That was part of the 100,000 reduc- 

 tion in Federal employees. That was NOAA's share in fiscal 

 year 



Senator Lott. Well, I think that is a worthwhile goal. But I 

 think also this committee, as an authorization committee with ju- 

 risdiction over NOAA, would be very interested in how you do that. 

 And we want to make sure that it is done in what we would con- 

 sider a fair way. And, of course, I will always be looking to see how 

 if affects Fisheries and the wet programs, again. 



Mr. Moxam. Yes, sir. 



Senator Lott. One final question, I guess, for now, again, to you, 

 Dr. Baker. What promise does marine biotechnology hold for en- 

 hancing the following areas: aquaculture, bioremediation, seafood 

 product safety, pharmaceuticals, polymers, and lubricants? 



Dr. Baker. I would like to, if we could, provide an answer for the 

 record. Because there are some very interesting things that bio- 

 technology can do in all of those areas. Let me just say that, over 

 the years, the work that has been done, supported by the Sea 

 Grant Program, has, in fact, enabled us to show that you can do 

 some of these things, like finding bacteria that can eat pollution, 

 for example. And we believe this is a very exciting area, and we 

 would like to see it supported. And we are pleased to see what has 

 been supported in the past through Sea Grant. 



