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THE HON. THOMAS J. MANTON, CHAIRMAN 

 PAGE TWO 



significant portion of this great historical fishery. (Please 

 see attached Asbury Park Press article of October 18, 1993 and 

 data sheet on number of vessels involved in the New Jersey highly 

 migratory species fishery, 1991). 



To a great extent, the mechanisms necessary to promulgate 

 equitable regulations to carry out ICCAT recommendations are 

 already in place. In particular, the act provides that "to the 

 extent practicable, [the regulations effecting highly migratory 

 species must] be consistent with fishery management plans 

 prepared and implemented under the Magnuson Fishery Conser- 

 vation and Management Act." (16 USC 971D(c)(l). I will highlight 

 the standards most pertinent to the regulations of these species, 

 while particularly focusing on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. I submit 

 that the following recommendations would acheive equity while not 

 compromising effective conservation and management. 



The first standard set forth in Magnuson seeks to acheive 

 optimum yield from each domestic fishery while preventing over 

 fishing. Totally precluding certain regions from engaging in a 

 fishery, or inhibiting that fishery by extremely short seasons or 

 unpredictable closures, (both of which have been suffered 

 disproportionately by the New Jersey/New York Bight region), 

 results in a failure to acheive optimum yield. This is because 

 the well established and significant portion of the party and 

 charter boat industry from these two states which are engaged in 

 this fishery add significantly to the overall benefit to the 



