149 



in the vicinity of Dixon Entrance. The result has been improved compliance with 

 U.S. fisheries and safety regulations. 



Another major fisheries law enforcement activity for Group Ketchikan involves 

 the periodic fisheries openings for the taking of black cod and halibut. Using a task 

 unit concept (i.e., a number of units under the command of the senior unit com- 

 mander) and augmented by Seventeenth District buoy tenders and aviation re- 

 sources, Group Ketchikan enforces two or three halibut openings and one black cod 

 opening each year. Using aircraft to spot fishermen setting gear before the opening 

 or retrieving gear after the opening and to locate large concentrations of vessels, our 

 Group directs its floating resources to check illegally set gear; to ensure fishermen 

 are not using prohibitea gear or procedures which mutilate halibut; and to board 

 vessels after the openings to determine if undersized halibut were retained, to check 

 for required permits and logkeeping, and to look for compliance with the fishing ves- 

 sel safety regulations. We are careful not to board vessels actively engaged in 

 longline fishing during an opening unless an obvious violation is observed. We real- 

 ize that fishing time is valuable during an opening and we make every effort not 

 to interfere with fishing activities. 



In addition to our at-sea boardings, we frequently use station personnel to observe 

 fishing vessels off-loading halibut at shoreside processing plants. This maximizes 

 vessel coverage using minimal numbers of personnel. 



As our fisheries enforcement efforts have taken us to more remote ports and fish- 

 ing grounds, we have increased awareness of fishing vessel safety requirements, 

 both through public education and through enforcement action. As our cutters have 

 begun to terminate the voyages of fishing vessels found operating unsafely, fisher- 

 men have come to realize serious safety infractions can result in lost fishing days 

 with substantial lost income. As a consequence, we have noted a significant increase 

 in fishing vessel safety compliance. 



An ancillary benefit of our at-sea boardings for fishing vessel safety compliance 

 is the increased interest such boardings generate in the Coast Guard voluntary 

 dockside examination program. A successful voluntary dockside examination by a 

 Coast Guard examiner not only ensures that the examined vessel meets the require- 

 ments of the fishing vessel safety regulations, it also provides the vessel with a 

 decal evidencing compliance. At-sea boardings of these vessels can be expedited, 

 since we know the vessel has successfully passed an extensive dockside examina- 

 tion. The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), immersion suits, 

 life rafts, and other equipment required by the fishing vessel safety regulations have 

 already saved the lives of numerous fishermen in Alaska's unforgiving waters. We 

 in Coast Guard Group Ketchikan are proud of the part we are playing in ensuring 

 that all fishermen in Southeast Alaska will be properly equipped to survive an 

 emergency. 



With respect to the MFCMA, I echo Rear Admiral Rufe's view that no changes 

 to the MFCMA itself are necessary to support Coast Guard responsibilities in South- 

 east Alaska. While there are some issues regarding regulatory enforceability which 

 need to be addressed, they are narrow in scope and are limited to particular ele- 

 ments of specific fishery management plans. These issues are best addressed 

 through the management council process and do not warrant statutory changes. 

 Group Ketchikan will continue to refine our enforcement procedures to provide max- 

 imum protection to our fisheries resources north of the A-B Line in Dixon Entrance 

 while fostering harmonious U.S. and Canadian fisheries in the disputed area pend- 

 ing ultimate resolution of the international boundary. We will continue to conduct 

 a comprehensive boarding program on the entire fishing fleet operating in Southeast 

 Alaska waters, seeking compliance with all U.S. laws with special emphasis on the 

 requirements of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the 

 Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act. 



I would be pleased to answer any questions. 



Prepared Statement of David Benton, Director, Office of External and 

 International Fisheries Affairs, Alaska Department of Fish and Game 



Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to 

 come before you today to discuss one of the Nation's most important pieces of oceans 

 legislation, the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act. I am David 

 Benton, Director ofthe Office of External and International Fisheries Affairs, Alas- 

 ka Department of Fish and Game. 



The Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (the Act) is perhaps 

 the most important piece of fisheries legislation passed by Congress. The Act pro- 

 vides the framework for conservation, management, and allocation of the fisheries 



