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Atlantic stock of bluefin tuna continues to be in a state of 

 significant decline. 



The U.S. commercial and recreational fleets currently harvest 52 

 percent of the total western Atlantic bluefin tuna quota, and 

 approximately 4 to 6 percent of the total Atlantic catch. The 

 U.S. catch of other tunas is equally low relative to total 

 Atlantic catch. There is no commercial fishery for billfish in 

 the United States, and the recreational catch is again a small 

 part of total billfish catch in the Atlantic and Caribbean. 

 Billfish are managed under the Magnuson Act since there are no 

 ICCAT recommendations for billfish. Although the U.S. share of 

 total Atlantic catch of species covered by the ATCA is relatively 

 low, the United States continues to actively implement the 

 recommendations of ICCAT and believes that ICCAT is a primary 

 avenue through which these important resources can be 

 successfully managed. 



Issues to be Addressed in Reauthorization 



The Department supports H.R. 779 and reauthorization of the ATCA. 

 Nevertheless, we believe the ATCA should be amended to delete the 

 provision (contained in 16 U.S.C. 971d(c)(3)) prohibiting the 

 Secretary from issuing regulations which have the effect of 

 increasing or decreasing the total quota of fish allocated to the 

 United States. We believe that the primary international 

 management program for HMS should continue to be accomplished 



7ti-4q9 O - 94 



