166 



We must aggressively step up our efforts at understanding the marine ecosystem. 

 Focussing and funding research to accomplish this would be a solid investment in 

 the future of many of our coastal communities. 



MARINE HABITAT PROTECTION MUST BECOME A PRIORITY 



Alaska's marine environment continues to suffer from irresponsible development 

 practices and both local and regional pollution. Oil and gas development alone con- 

 tributes significantly to this problem. Yet in Alaska our waters are denied even the 

 minimal protection from oil and gas related pollution accorded the rest of the na- 

 tion. Where oil and gas facilities in the Lower 48 are generally held to a zero dis- 

 charge requirement under the Clean Water Act, they are free to dump their pollut- 

 ants directly into Alaskan waters. 



Habitat degradation is not limited outside the fishing industry. Closer regard 

 needs to be given to fishing practices that destroy ecologically sensitive and critical 

 marine habitats and their associated ecosystems. By disrupting sea floor habitat, 

 sea mounts, and coral communities and disturbing spawning, nursery and forage 

 areas, we are compounding the difficulties of establishing meaningful stock rebuild- 

 ing programs or for providing plausible stock assessments. 



The Magnuson Act provides no meaningful basis for controlling such detrimental 

 and short-sighted practices. Fishery Management efforts will fail without habitat 

 protection. Among other needs, the Act should reflect the United State's commit- 

 ment to: "Preserve rare or fragile ecosystems as well as habitats and other eco- 

 logically sensitive areas." Agenda 21, Chapter 17, Program Area D, Sec. 79(0 1992. 

 The Act should be amended to: 



1) Include habitat conservation in the National Standards on which conservation 

 and management measures are based; 



2) Require the Council to describe essential habitat in fishery management plans 

 and mandate the consideration of effects on habitat and other dependent marine life 

 in those plans. 



3) Implement a strong national habitat protection program to preserve the pro- 

 ductive capacity of fish habitats. Give the National Marine Fisheries Service the au- 

 thority to modify, restrict or deny development projects which will adversely impact 

 important fish habitats. 



CONCLUSION 



Good management and a better understanding of the complex nature of our ma- 

 rine environment will help sustain our coastal communities over time. If managed 

 carefully, fisheries offers one of the best hopes for sustaining both our subsistence 

 and cash economies. While conserving and protecting commercial fish populations 

 is crucial for our economic well being, the overall health of our marine resources 

 and habitat is equally important. For many of us its why we chose to live here, for 

 others of us its a matter of cultural survival. 



It is important now, more than ever, to make conservation the number one prior- 

 ity in the Magnuson Fishery and Management Act. Our summary of recommenda- 

 tions follow. 



ALASKA MARINE CONSERVATION COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS 



Mandate Clean Fishing 



• Insert the following specific language from Agenda 21 in both the body and 

 purpose of the Act — "promote the development and use of selective gear and prac- 

 tices that minimize the waste of catch of target species and minimizes bycatcb of 

 non-target species." 



• Include the following language in National Standard Five: "Conservation and 

 management measures shall assign harvest priority to use of selective gear and 

 practices that minimize waste of catch of target species, minimizes bycatch of non- 

 target species and minimizes disruption to habitat." 



• Clearly establish conservation of marine resources, including habitat, not solely 

 efficiency or optimum yield as the primary purpose of the Act. Include in the pur- 

 pose and national standards sections. (Applies to our recommendations regarding 

 Multi-species considerations and Marine Habitat as well.) 



• Set a goal of eliminating economic discards in the Alaska EEZ. 



• Refrain from implementing limited access programs that do not effectively re- 

 sult in the reduction of bycatch and economic discards. 



