to the members that they have in their folders a copy of the Inspec- 

 tor General's report on conflict of interests in the North Pacific 

 Council. 



The Inspector General wishes to protect the privacy of the per- 

 sons involved and has expunged the names of some Council mem- 

 bers and Council staff who were subjects of that investigation. 



Some Committee members know the names of those involved; 

 however, I ask members respectfully to be mindful of the privacy 

 rights of those persons. They have not been convicted of any crime 

 based on their Council actions nor has the Justice Department 

 sought to prosecute them. 



I believe we can do our job and address this matter without un- 

 fairly tarnishing the reputations of those involved. I thank my col- 

 leagues for their cooperation in this matter. 



Mr. Young. Mr. Chairman, may I at this time submit the state- 

 ment by Jack Fields? 



[Statement of Hon. Jack Fields follows:] 



Statement of Hon. Jack Fields, a U.S. Representative from Texas, and 

 Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 



Mr. Chairman, I understand this hearing is being held at the request of one of 

 our members to further review the findings of the Inspector General of the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce on conflict of interest charges leveled at members of one of the 

 Regional Fishery Management Councils. 



Mr. Chairman, the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (P.L. 

 94-265) establishes the regional councils to "promote domestic commercial and rec- 

 reational fishing under sound conservation and management principles..." The mem- 

 bership of these councils was specifically crafted to give the users of the resource, 

 who presumably have the most intimate and up-to-date knowledge of the health of 

 the fisheries, the ability to make wise decisions on its use. 



I agree that at times there have been "perceived" conflicts of interest. That is 

 why, in the 1986 amendments to the Magnuson Act, we required that Council mem- 

 bers disclose their financial holdings in any related businesses which might cause 

 them to have a real or potential conflict of interest. 



In the recent Inspector General's report there was no evidence that members or 

 staff of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council had acted to control Council 

 actions to further their own personal financial interests. Nevertheless, it is clear 

 that there are certain people who perceive that direct conflicts do exist. 



My concern is that the decisions of all of the councils will be under a cloud of 

 suspicion if the public perceives that any user group may be voting to enhance their 

 claim on the resource. By the same token, it is human nature to expect that con- 

 servation organization members, recreational fishermen, or commercial fishermen, 

 will cry "fouF' in the future over particular votes that are cast by Council members. 



The philosophy of the Magnuson Act is clear. The users of the resource are the 

 best stewards of the resource and are in daily contact with the resource. They are 

 in the best position to make intelligent decisions regarding the wise use of the re- 

 source. 



Any member of a council that deliberately casts a vote to directly benefit himself 

 financially without notifying the Council that he will directly benefit is wrong. 



It is important that the Councils make wise decisions so that fishery resources 

 can be used and enjoyed by future generations without endangering them. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to hearing from our distinguished 

 witnesses. 



Mr. Manton. Without objection. The chair now recognizes the 

 gentlewoman from the State of Washington, Ms. Unsoeld. 



STATEMENT OF HON. JOLENE UNSOELD, A U.S. 

 REPRESENTATIVE FROM WASHINGTON 



Ms. Unsoeld. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since we began a se- 

 ries of Magnuson Act hearings last year, I have repeatedly ex- 



