11 



in my earlier written testimony. There is one other issue that we 

 feel is important at this point that we would like to identify to the 

 Committee and that is the issue of funding. The question of ade- 

 quate funding to carry out effective programs for coastal fisheries 

 is a very critical issue. 



There is no question that today the States simply do not have the 

 resources required to get this job done. Effective conservation and 

 management of coastal fisheries will require greater efforts by the 

 States in statistics, monitoring, law enforcement and fishery man- 

 agement planning. Other programs such as habitat and research 

 will also be affected. 



No legislation, State or Federal, will fix the problems with coast- 

 al fisheries conservation unless adequate resources are made avail- 

 able to State agencies. We cannot give you a specific figure today, 

 Mr. Chairman. We are working on an estimate of what it would 

 cost for the States to carry out their portion of this partnership. It 

 will require Federal examination and assistance, however. 



This legislation, both the bill recommended by the Commission 

 and H.R. 2134, were modeled after foresighted legislation that 

 bears the stamp of the distinguished Chairman of the full Commit- 

 tee — the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act. Striped bass are 

 experiencing a recovery because of the hard work of the Commis- 

 sion, the dedication of the States, and the partnership between Fed- 

 eral and State agencies backed up by the commitment of the Con- 

 gress evidenced by the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act. The 

 Commission believes that the same process that has worked for 

 striped bass can work for other species as well. 



The Commission is proud to be able to recommend to the Com- 

 mittee the specific language approved by our Executive Committee 

 this morning. We believe that House 2134 will be strengthened if it 

 followed the provisions of the ASMFC draft in those areas where 

 they differ. We look forward to continuing to work with the Com- 

 mittee and its staff as this legislation moves through Congress. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would be pleased to answer any 

 questions. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Coates can be found at the end of 

 the hearing.] 



Mr. Lancaster. Thank you, Mr. Coates. Mr. Coates has just indi- 

 cated that he does not have an estimate of what this legislation 

 will cost the States. I wonder if either of the other witnesses have 

 such an estimate, and is there any Federal assistance currently 

 available to help the States with this new Federal mandate? 



Dr. Tillman. No, sir, we don't have any estimates of what it 

 would take. We do note that National Marine Fisheries Service 

 would require new funds in order to undertake these responsibil- 

 ities. We also would note that the Commission and the States 

 would require assistance as well. We do note that one of the pur- 

 poses of the proposed bill is to provide financial assistance to facili- 

 tate its goals. It would take that to enable all of us to undertake 

 this work. 



Mr. Lancaster. Mr. Barry. 



Mr. Barry. I don't believe the Interior Department has an exact 

 estimate either at this point. In terms of where the funding would 

 come from, currently this type of work is funded through pass- 



