30 



through ICCAT. However, the ATCA's current requirement that U.S. 

 regulations may not have the effect of increasing or decreasing 

 the total quota allocated to the United States may pose a problem 

 if the United States wishes to establish a domestic quota on a 

 local stock or substock of a HMS for conservation purposes that 

 is less than that allowed by ICCAT. The inability to set a lower 

 quota could result in local overfishing and the loss of long-term 

 benefits. 



Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, this concludes my 

 testimony. I thank you for this opportunity to express the views 

 of the Department. I would be pleased to respond to any 

 questions you may have. 



