42 



from the regulated stocks. NAFO is facing a number of challenges 

 arising from declining or already depressed fish stocks. These 

 circumstances make it even more important, from the conservation 

 standpoint, for the United States to advance its interests from 

 within the competent international regulatory body. Also, the 

 United States is advancing the general argument that fishing 

 countries have a responsibility to join and participate in 

 regional fishery conservation and management organizations to 

 manage fisheries in which the country participates or to 

 cooperate in processes such as the one the United States is 

 leading regarding the donut hole fisheries where regional 

 organizations do not exist. Therefore, the Department supports 

 H.R. 3058. 



Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement. I would be happy to 

 answer any questions you may have. 



