If the Council process is to be effective, public confidence in that 

 process must be restored. With the fate of the Northwest fishing 

 industry in the hands of the North Pacific Fishery Management 

 Council, I believe close examination of the decisionmaking process 



TTinQl' i"flK^ "DiJlOG 



If changes are needed. Congress must step in and make sure a 

 fair and equitable process is in place. I also want to thank the In- 

 spector General for taking the time to appear before the Sub- 

 committee today. We look forward to his expertise and experience 

 on conflict of interest issues. 



Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with the Subcommittee 

 as this process moves forward and appreciate my colleagues' atten- 

 tion to what is a very critical Northwest issue. 



Mr. Manton. I thank the gentlelady. The chair recognizes Mr. 

 Torkildsen, State of Massachusetts. 



STATEMENT OF HON. PETER G. TORKILDSEN, A U.S. 

 REPRESENTATIVE FROM MASSACHUSETTS 



Mr. Torkildsen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank 

 you for holding the hearing. The Management Councils, I do think 

 play an important role. I do think it is important not only to keep 

 those with experience in the fishing industry involved, I think we 

 should increase their involvement, and the potential for conflict of 

 interest is there as everyone knows now. 



Disclosure, I think, really is the necessary answer, perhaps more 

 complete disclosure so everyone knows what everyone's interests 

 are on the Council, but we need that expertise that people in the 

 fishing community and only those people in the fishing community 

 can bring to the decisions of the Council. 



It is an issue that has to be addressed. The public has to have 

 confidence in both the Congress overseeing this issue as well as 

 how the Council makes decisions. I think we can come to some res- 

 olution. I certainly hope we can, Mr. Chairman. 



I would also ask that the text of my full statement be included 

 in the record. 



Mr. Manton. Without objection it is so ordered. 



[Statement of Hon. Peter G. Torkildsen follows:] 



Statement of Hon. Peter G. Torkildsen, a U.S. Representative from 



Massachusetts 



Mr Chairman, the Regional Fisheries Management Councils were created to pro- 

 vide an opportunity for local and community input in implementing the goals of the 

 Magnuson Act. Those who live in the areas affected by the fishing regulations im- 

 posed under the Magnuson Act have the most insight into the needs of the commu- 

 nitv People in the fishing industry have first-hand knowledge of their particular 

 fishing region and can provide valuable insight as to the most effective ways to pre- 

 serve fish stocks with a minimum impact on fishermen. Because of this expertise, 

 those directly involved in the fishing industry should be represented more, not less, 

 than they are now. . ^, ., j i i. 



One example of the need for industry representation on the councils occurred last 

 vear I was contacted by a fisherman in my district about starting an experimental 

 fishery for silver hake, commonly known as whiting fish. I assisted this fisherman 

 in getting his views presented to the Council, which then changed the regulations 



to allow the new fishery. . ,..,/- i • • j a i.\. 



The presence of knowledgeable representatives of the fishing industry on the 

 Council ensured that the complex, but very logical, proposal he presented was fully 

 understood and implemented by the Council. 



