15 



I would like the enforcement arm of NMFS to look into why 

 dealers did not submit timely reports and would like NMFS to seek 

 punitive actions against dealers who did not comply with the regu- 

 lations. 



Last week we learned that NMFS did manage to scrape together 

 eight tons, 20 to 40 fish, from different categories for the New York 

 Bight general category fishery. 



The other thing of course is two days ago, NMFS dealt New 

 Jersey anglers another blow in closing the fishery for large school 

 tuna and small-medium tuna. I think Mr. Bogan mentioned that. 

 They took 30 tons out of a large school and small-medium angling 

 category because, in the words of one NMFS staffer, quote, there 

 was plenty of padding there, and gave it to the general category. 



However, as we learned last week, there wasn't enough padding 

 there when NMFS announced the closure of the category, and 

 again, I believe, that the recreational fishermen from my region 

 were trampled on. 



In my opinion, Mr. Chairman, NMFS has been negligent in dis- 

 tributing the quota in a fair and equitable fashion. Perhaps a 

 better method for distributing an angling category quota would be 

 to allocate the quota on the basis of three regions as opposed to two 

 as is currently done, and basically that would have a southern 

 region, a New England region and a Mid-Atlantic or New York 

 Bight region, and that will allow the fishermen in the New York 

 Bight area to participate in the traditional mud hole fishery with- 

 out being closed out by the other regions. 



In my district in New Jersey, there has been a traditional small 

 boat recreational fishery for bluefin in the school category for over 

 50 years. In recent years, it seems as though this fishery has re- 

 mained open for no longer than a blink of the eye. Next year, 

 NMFS will require that these anglers pay a $20 license fee. 



The recreational fishery has a very large impact on the economy 

 of New Jersey. It has been estimated that recreational angling for 

 bluefin tuna generates over $7.8 million and many charter boat op- 

 erators, bait and tackle shops and marinas, benefit directly from 

 this fishery. 



I don't want Dr. Foster to get me wrong. I am very much for the 

 resource, and scientists, as we know, estimate that if bluefin tuna 

 populations were allowed to rebuild, U.S. fishermen could harvest 

 11,000 metric tons annually on a sustainable basis, about four 

 times what they harvest now. I would like to see a full recovery of 

 the Atlantic bluefin tuna to their historic stock size, but I do not 

 believe that New Jersey's anglers should bear the entire burden of 

 this responsibility. 



And finally, I would like to see the United States actively pursue 

 through ICCAT greater regulations of the fishery on the eastern 

 stock of the Atlantic bluefin tuna, and I want to thank Mr. Studds 

 for introducing the CR that is going to be marked up today. I be- 

 lieve I am also a cosponsor of that and I think that is the way to 

 go. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me the time to do this 

 after the panel has spoken. I appreciate that. 



Mr. M ANTON. Thank you, Mr. Pallone. 



