57 

 Fisheries Subcommittee -6- October 20. 1993 



Transferring the scientific assessment responsibilities to the Northeast 

 would increase the opportunities for interaction of scientists with 

 fishermen and the fishery and this can only benefit l<nowledQe and 

 understanding of the bluefin resource. 



Increased Opportunities for Involvement of Affected Fishermen 

 and other Constituencies 



NOAA has only recently put forward a formal process for the development 

 of long term highly migratory fishery management plans and required 

 amendments. We also note that inadequate funds are provided for the 

 NMFS Highly IVIigratory Species Division to execute its responsibility for 

 timely and appropriate development of changes to existing rules governing 

 the bluefin fisheries. 



In the last two years. NMFS has been unable to complete the rulemaking 

 process to implement regulatory changes affecting the current years 

 fishery. We have advised the Agency repeatedly that this situation is 

 grossly unfair to all affected fishermen and fishing businesses. In some 

 cases fishermen are being forced to make business decisions related to 

 selection of fishing categories before the rules of that category or even 

 quota levels are finalized by NMFS. This is an unacceptable situation and 

 we request that the Committee address this matter. We believe that 

 Scoping meetings, public hearings and regulatory changes must be 

 completed and finalized by May 15 or prior to the start of the bluefin 

 fishing season each year. 



We also note that the opportunities for frequent quality interaction with 

 the regulatory agency are minimal and this results in inadequate 

 understanding of Agency proposals, inability of the fishing community to 

 constructively offer suggestions for timely improvement to the regulatory 

 environment and. in general, poor relations between NMFS and the affected 

 fishing community. Public hearings and Scoping meetings do not generally 

 provide for useful interaction between the regulated public and the agency 

 and this problem is exacerbated by inadequate funding preventing 

 appropriate personnel from attending the few regional meetings. 



We believe that the Committee should consider the recent suggestion of 

 the Seafood Consumers and Producers Association. Inc. that authority be 

 provided to NMFS (similar to authority provided to the regional councils) 



