72 



Perhaps most disturbing to me is the fact that the U.S. Department 

 of Commerce is ignoring recommendations on whiting allocation made 

 by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The Fisheries 

 Conservation and Management Act of 1976 clearly states that fishery 

 management plans and regulatory amendments are to be developed by 

 regional fishery managem.ent councils. The Pacific Fishery 

 Management Council worked closely with the Regional Ofiice of the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service in developing whiting allocations for 

 1993. The Council's goals and objectives, around which the allocation 

 recommendations were based, have been approved by the Department 

 of Commerce. Therefore, the allocation decisions by the Department of 

 Commerce should be subject to these goals and objectives, and they 

 should recognize the input and interests of the regional councils. 



The Oregon Department of Agriculture has presented testimony 

 before the Pacific Fishery Management Coimcil on several occasions, 

 and I would like to believe that the concerns and issues we express in 

 that forum are being heard and considered by the Department of 

 Commerce in its allocation decisions. I believe that the Nation's 

 renewable marine resources should be carefully managed, and while 

 the ultimate decision on management plans rests with the Department 

 of Commerce, input firom the regions shoiild be the base consideration 

 for an effective management plan. 



