8 



which often lags behind, thus causing an early closure or unpre- 

 dictable closure. 



As to the U.S. role in ICCAT, I would just like to say that the 

 United States cannot carry most of the conservation burden on its 

 shoulders. Certainly questions have been raised. In the ICCAT ad- 

 visory meeting last week, almost every adviser had questions with 

 regard to data which ultimately affects the management decisions 

 of NMFS and ultimately determines the management decision and 

 recommendations of our commissioners. 



When data is offered, when data is out there and when reasona- 

 ble conclusions can be examined again or other conclusions can be 

 examined again, we feel it is incumbent upon NMFS or upon the 

 southeast region, whoever is handling it, to look at that data again 

 and again so it can benefit United States fishermen, and most im- 

 portantly, to be consistent with the statute, to make sure that 

 those fishermen are not put at an unfair advantage to internation- 

 al fishermen. 



Likewise, an 8 percent tolerance, which in our opinion we re- 

 spectfully submit is too low, creates through that fishery the great- 

 est monitoring process possible, and under ICCAT, if we are moni- 

 toring quota, then the more region you cover, the more fish you 

 catch on a greater area, the better for the monitoring process. 



In summary, stricter adherence to the national standards con- 

 tained in Magnuson and greater considerations and openness to in- 

 dustry and peer participation and contribution toward the scientif- 

 ic monitoring and data base, and reconsideration, most important- 

 ly, when it is appropriate and when it will mean the difference be- 

 tween the United States being able to practice and fish in a more 

 competitive manner. 



That is what ATCA can guarantee and what is there already. 



Thank you. 



Mr. Manton. Thank you, Mr. Bogan. 



[The statement of Ray Bogan can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



Mr. Manton. Next witness, Mr. Eric Hesse, member, board of di- 

 rectors. East Coast Tuna Association. 



STATEMENT OF ERIC HESSE, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 

 EAST COAST TUNA ASSOCIATION 



Mr. Hesse. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Eric Hesse 

 and I am a commercial bluefin tuna fisherman from Centerville, 

 Massachusetts. I am also the Vice President of East Coast Tuna As- 

 sociation, and I have a Master's of science in environmental engi- 

 neering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 



I appreciate this opportunity to share my views with the Sub- 

 committee. 



Our overall view is that the current system of highly migratory 

 management with principal authority vested with the Secretary of 

 Commerce is fundamentally sound. The four major points of my 

 testimony are: One, the authority for highly migratory species 

 management must remain with the Secretary of Commerce. 



Two, the responsibility for scientific assessment of Atlantic blue- 

 fin tuna must be transferred to the Northeast Fishery Center in 



