17 



of these fisheries matters through the National Ocean Policy Study. 

 Even though it has no legislative authority, whatever the study 

 wants legislated, comes right into the Commerce Committee, be- 

 cause it is really our device, that I kept when others tried to abol- 

 ish it. They had to pass a statute to abolish it, and I blocked that, 

 but one of the chairmen of the Commerce Committee came in and 

 just did away with the Ocean and Atmosphere Subcommittee and 

 that is where we got really behind. 



It is one of the reasons I am up here, because we are trying to 

 reinstitute interest in our fisheries, our coastal zone, and particu- 

 larly in the oceans themselves. I do not know that we are going to 

 get a space station, but seven-tenths of the world's surface is in the 

 ocean and we ought to get back once again into the studies and re- 

 ports of that kind. And in this regard, Alaska is very, very impor- 

 tant to us. Back to your original comment, that is how fisheries 

 management was placed in the Commerce Department. You go ask 

 Governor Hickel, and he will tell you. He never has told me. Very 

 good, Ms. Olsen. Let us see. Mr. Anderson. 



STATEMENT OF NELS ANDERSON ON BEHALF OF HARVEY 

 SAMUELSEN, PRESIDENT, WESTERN ALASKA COOPERATIVE 

 MARKETING ASSOCIATION 



Mr. Anderson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



My name is Nels Anderson and I am presenting testimony on be- 

 half of Harvey Samuelsen. 



The Chairman. Fine. 



Mr. Anderson. Harvey Samuelsen is a long-term, I mean almost 

 lifelong fisherman from Alaska, from the Bethel area, Akiachak 

 originally, and has uprooted himself from his home and settled in 

 Dillingham, where he has been a tremendous asset to our people 

 over here. He sends his regrets, Mr. Chairman, that he is attend- 

 ing — or traveling with Secretary Babbit to Togiak to help facilitate 

 meetings for the secretary and asked me to present his testimony. 



The CHAmMAN. I understand. I think we will be together this 

 afternoon. 



Mr. Anderson. If I may proceed with his statement? 



The Chairman. Please do. And by the way, all these statements 

 in their entirety will be included in the record, and the witnesses 

 can highlight tnem as they wish or deliver them in their entirety, 

 whatever you wish. 



Mr. Anderson. Thank you. 



These are exciting times for western Alaska's people. Two recent 

 developments in the north Pacific fisheries have given western 

 Alaska some of the best economic opportunities we have had since 

 the Native Claims Settlement Act. 



The first step was the training and hiring program run by the 

 BeringSea Fisheries — Commercial Fisheries Development Founda- 

 tion. Through that program, funded by the American Factory 

 Trawler Association, about 150 western Alaskans have found work 

 on factory trawlers. Many of those trainees are on their way to 

 good fishing careers. I am proud — Harvey states that he is very 

 proud to have been a founding member of that organization. 



The community development quota program is another example. 

 It has opened the door to the Bering Sea fisheries for our coastal 



