41 



Turning now to domestic fisheries law enforcement in our exclu- 

 sive economic zone. This represents the most significant portion of 

 our operations here in Alaska and I have given it significant close 

 personal attention. I maintain regular contact with the fishing in- 

 dustry by participating in the Regional Fisheries Management 

 Council meetings and nave spent time underway on our vessels 

 and in our aircraft observing fisheries operations on the fishing 

 grounds. 



During my 1 year here as District Commander, I have empha- 

 sized two areas in fisheries. One is the long-term conservation of 

 our fisheries resources and, equally important, the safety of our 

 fishermen. In both areas, my objective is to promote compliance, 

 primarily through education, but through effective enforcement 

 when we must. 



In supporting fisheries management goals, we are maintaining a 

 visible presence on the fishing grounds. We are focusing our law 

 enforcement efforts on the resource abuser who inhibits responsible 

 management and gains an unfair advantage on his law-abiding 

 competitor. In supporting fishing vessel safety, a courtesy dockside 

 examination program, complemented by at-sea boardings, are used 

 to ensure fishermen have the right equipment and that they know 

 how to use it. In the past year, we have had a number of cases 

 where fishermen were saved because they prepared themselves and 

 were properly equipped. The dramatic case of the fishing vessel 

 Majestic is noted in my written testimony. 



In both fisheries enforcement and fishing vessel safety we are 

 seeing indications of improved compliance. The percentage of 

 boardings resulting in violations is down this year, as is the num- 

 ber of lives lost. Each year, the community of Kodiak has a very 

 moving bell-tolling ceremony marking the number of fishermen lost 

 at sea the previous year. I am committed to working hand in hand 

 with fishermen toward a goal of silencing that bell. Finally, Mr. 

 Chairman, turning to the reauthorization of the Magnuson Act, I 

 believe that no significant changes are necessary. The North Pacific 

 is a real success story. Unlike other areas of the country, the 

 stocks, by and large, in Alaska are healthy. Resource managers and 

 users are fully involved in the regional council process, demonstrat- 

 ing how the process should and must work. I am also satisfied that 

 the Coast Guard's voice on enforceability and safety issues is heard 

 in that process. 



I have two initiatives here in the 17th District in the year ahead 

 to improve our fisheries law enforcement program. First, I think we 

 need to improve the professionalism of our boarding officers. The 

 regulations that we enforce are complex and we are not always con- 

 sistent, and our fishermen deserve consistency. We must improve 

 the training of our boarding officers. We have a request in the 

 President's 1994 budget to establish a regional fisheries training 

 team here in Kodiak to provide training for our Coast Guard cut- 

 ters who come up from the Lower 48 to work on the fishing 

 grounds of Alaska. 



Second, under the direction of Commander, Pacific Area, we are 

 beginning a pilot program to improve alignment with our cus- 

 tomers, the fisheries resource stakeholders. Just this past week 

 members of my staff met here in Kodiak with the Alaska 



