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the species, and is likely to be revised again before this bill becomes law. The 

 Commission is always striving to be flexible and responsive to current circumstances. 

 This provision unnecessarily imposes a distinct federal requirement where it is 

 unwarranted. 



Weakfish need help. But the process is working. The Commission's Weakfish 

 Technical Committee will be meeting during the first week of Jime to consider the 

 most recent scientific information. The Weakfish Management Board will be meeting 

 shortly thereafter to determine the next steps that should be taken in weakfish 

 conservation. Any specific provisions of the bill relating to weakfish will 

 inevitably and artificially affect how these future decisions are made. 



This bill — in its entire theory and concept — relies on the good judgment of 

 the states to determine what is necessary for AUantic coastal fishery resources. The 

 Congress should stick with this principle for all fisheries, including weakfish. Any 

 spedes-specific provisions detract from the overall strength of the bill. I would 

 urge that this special treatment for one species be dropped. 



A last issue that I would like to raise today with the Committee today is the 

 role of the two federal agencies that are concerned with interjurisdictional fisheries 



the National Marine Fisheries Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife 



Service. The Commission's position has been that for the process to work 

 effectively, all of the affected agencies must work fully as partners. The Fish and 

 Wildlife Service has been intimately involved in the Commission's fishery 

 management program for many years. The Service is continuing to commit significant 

 resources to fisheries management assistance. It has legislative responsibility for 

 many coastal, estuarine, and in particular anadromous resources along the Atlantic 

 coast. Programs administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service provide essential 

 funding to the states and the Commission. The Service is truly a full operating 

 partner in the conservation of coastal fishery resources. In many regards, the Fish 



