31 



What's your reaction to the notion that you have access to the 

 fishing by diminishing fish that come in from Canada and then 

 they continue to fish the bank, what is your reaction to that? 



Mr. Slowe. With observers on the boat, I agree with you, with 

 observers on the boat. 



Senator Kerry. Captain, let me ask you to sit down. You have 

 had your opportunity to speak. We will come back to you. 



Captain SiMONiTSCH. With respect, it doesn't make sense. 



Senator Kerry. Why does it not make sense? 



Captain SiMONiTSCH. It doesn't make sense because we alreadv 

 know we don't have enough fish to sustain the domestic demana. 

 That's why the Canadians come down. We need their fish. We fish- 

 ermen don't need their fish, but consumers need their fish. The 

 buyers need their fish. If they didn't have Canadian fish — if they 

 relied only on our fish, could the few buyers that are left still sus- 

 tain their operations? No. They have customers that want fish 

 every day. 



I might speak a little bit differently on that particular issue to- 

 morrow, but I'm reacting to that question. 



Second, you know, we've overexploited our fish. To me the logic 

 isn't there. We can't supply the market when we have less fish. 



In addition, imports from places other than Canada are here now 

 that our prices are high on groundfish. I think everyone here 

 knows that the Pacific nsh is in our marketplace now. It kept the 

 price of large codfish down this spring. Icelandic fish is available. 

 Haddock, cod, arrive in Newark, NJ, airport every morning, be- 

 cause our prices are so high, or are high enough that they can com- 

 pete with us. 



So, if our prices go up more, it won't be just Canada and Icelan- 

 dic fish imports, it will be someone else. 



I'd like to comment to the Captain about the Canadian dilemma. 

 I say shut their imports off for 30 days. We're their big customer. 

 They want to fool around with our boats up there, shut them off 

 30 days. That's a lesson. We're not beating them up and blacking 

 both of their eyes. Do that, and if they want the tail, we'll give 

 them the tail. We'll make a deal. You give us the Northeast back, 

 we'll support your claim for the tail. 



And politicians can do this, I feel you're a leader, the diplomats 

 and our elected leaders can meet with the Canadians unofficially. 

 We're not happy with that Hague Line. 



We took the court decision when we turned down private negotia- 

 tions and thought we could do better with the court. 



So, they want this so bad up there, let's make a deal. 



Senator Kerry. Let me first keep going step by step here, folks. 

 I want to keep the panel going. We will come back to you. 



Captain, you had another comment? 



Captain Mirarchi. Yes, I do, thank you. 



I'd like to respectfully disagree that it's necessary to close large 

 areas of Georges Bank or any other groundfish producing area 

 down. We're making the assumption here already before it gets 

 going amendment 5 is a failure. I'm not ready to assume that at 

 all. 



Amendment 5 philosophically relies on reducing fishing effort at 

 a rate where the fish stock will replenish themselves so there will 



