55 



In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, the efforts which we have undertaken so far in the 

 Northeast represent a fresh new way of dealing with seemingly intractable public 

 policy dilemmas. Sustainable development of our local economies and natural re- 

 sources can and will prove to be a valuable legacy to our future genera:tions. With 

 your assistance, this Administration is making this a reality here in the Northeast. 



I would be happy to answer any questions which the Committee may have at this 

 time. 



[Paces 35107-35111 of the Federal Register, vol. 59, No. 130, Friday, July 8, 

 1994, Notices, may be found in the committee files.] 



Prepared Statement of Charles H. Collins 

 summmary of findings and conclusions regarding the northeast fisheries 



CRISIS 



Resource and Industry Trends 



The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank support some of the richest fisheries in the 

 world. The loss of this resource would be equivalent in scope to the loss of any of 

 the richest and most productive terrestrial ecosystems. The northeastern fishery re- 

 source has been under steadily increasing fishing pressure since World War II. It 

 has declined precipitously in the last two decades, primarily due to overfishing, 

 which occurred because the management system failed. Today the commercial via- 

 bility of the fishery and the ecological viability of certain species are in question. 

 If current trends are not reversed^ a world class renewable resource, which could 

 have provided sustainable jobs throughout the New England coast and much need 

 protein for world markets, could be lost. 



The northeastern fishery "problem" is large, complex, difficult to solve and has 

 many competing stakeholders. The problem evolved over many years and the factors 

 which conibined to produce it are deeply ingrained in the management system and 

 the socio-economic structure of the fishing communities. "Solving" the problem will 

 require persistence and patience from all key stakeholders and funders. Comprehen- 

 sive, collaborative long term solutions that are aimed at the fundamental causes of 

 the problem must be developed and implemented. Prior efforts to address the prob- 

 lem have failed because they provided superficial short-term solutions which were 

 focused on the symptoms of the problem rather than its root causes. 



The northeastern U.S. commercial fishing industry is fragmented, disorganized 

 and subject to intense competition over access to key fishing grounds and markets. 

 The northeastern fishing industry is, in fact, a collection of dozens of different fish- 

 eries which are distinguished by the species of fish caught, their geographic location 

 and boundaries of the fishery, the gear type used, the vessel size, or in some cases, 

 the ethnic group which dominates. The fragmentation of the industry and the com- 

 munities involved has greatly impeded efforts to develop a comprehensive vision 

 over the years, and it will continue to be a major impediment for the foreseeable 

 future. 



The northeastern fishing industry historically has been a flexible multi-species 

 fishery. Traditionally commercial fishermen in the Northeast have shifted between 

 different fisheries depending upon seasonality of resources, markets in certain parts 

 of the fishery, the health of the stocks and market conditions. As a result, the 

 groundfishery is inextricably linked to the other fisheries in the region. Changes in 

 the groundfishery have effects on fisheries like the lobster, shrimp, scallop, and ur- 

 chin industries. Similarly, the declines in those fisheries place additional pressures 

 on the groundfishery. Over the past decade managers have at times suggested that 

 full time fishermen in specific industries are more efficient than seasonal fishermen. 

 However, if effective management programs are developed, so that the seasonal fish- 

 ermen is efficiently using the ecosystem this may be a key to sustainability. 



In addition to the groundfishery, virtually all of the major commercial fisheries 

 in the northeast are under some degree of stress. These fisheries also are the sub- 

 ject of conflict and competition among fishermen and between fishermen, managers 

 and conservationists. Examples include: 



1) Amendment 4 to the scallop plan is intended to significantly reduce the scallop 

 harvest. The debate surrounding Amendment 4 to the scallop plan has been almost 

 as contentious as that surrounding Amendment 5. 



2) The sea urchin fishery has experienced extraordinary growth over the last five 

 years. As other fisheries declined, the urchin industry became a critical income 



