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THE HON. THOMAS J. MANTON, CHAIRMAN 

 PAGE FIVE 



scientists to consider and pursue industry provided data, a weak 

 data base will continue to be a problem and the entire fishing 

 industry will continue to scoff at NMFS data. 



THE U.S. ROLE IN ICCAT 



Generally speaking, it is fair to say for ICCAT 

 participation to be in the best interest of the United States, 

 the United States can not carry most of the conservation burden 

 on it's shoulders. Magnuson provides that conservation and 

 management measures should minimize, to the extent practicable, 

 any disadvantage to the United States fishermen in relation to 

 foreign competitors. While this provision may be meant to guide 

 domestic regulation of these fisheries, this provision is 

 particularly pertinent to the present management scheme under 

 ICCAT. Strict interpretation of the two stock theory defended by 

 our NMFS scientists is not only seriously raised into question by 

 tagging results and other catch and effort patterns presently in 

 place, it also acts to place practically the whole burden of 

 bluefin tuna conservation on the United States and Canada. It 

 should be made encumbent upon NMFS scientists to address and 

 consider data although it may conflict with their conclusions and 

 possibly support management measures which would eliminate the 

 disadvantage to the United States fishermen. 



Likewise, the eight ton tolerance for school size bluefin 

 tuna has not only devastated the recreational bluefin fishery 



