13 



world. The stocks straddle both the U.S. and Russian Zones, and, as 

 a result of the Donut Hole's overutilization, the U.S. experienced 

 dramatic declines of its valuable fishery resources in its Exclusive 

 Economic Zone. 



I am happy to report to the subcommittee today that as a result 

 of the bilateral actions of both U.S. and Russia since the mid- 

 1980's, significant changes have occurred in the fishing practices of 

 foreign nations in the Donut Hole. Effective conservation and man- 

 agement regimes have been negotiated and implemented with the 

 foreign distant waters fishing nations for the Donut Hole. Howev- 

 er, these negotiations have not provided a permanent solution for a 

 controlled fishing regime in the Donut Hole. A permanent enforce- 

 able solution is absolutely essential. 



Although foreign delegates signed a document in 1092 providing 

 for temporary suspension of all commercial fishing in the Donut 

 Hole for 1993-1994 and subsequently met in 1993 to negotiate a 

 long-term management regime, nothing permanent has been 

 agreed to as of this date. As Ambassador Colson said, we are going 

 to Seoul the first of the month and press further on that. 



I would ask the subcommittee to pursue vigorously legislation to 

 ensure permanent conservation and management for these impor- 

 tant resources. 



And, lastly, Mr. Chairman, I would like to bring to your atten- 

 tion The U.S. "draft" Agreement for the Conservation and Manage- 

 ment of Pollock Resources in the Bering Sea as negotiated by the 

 Department of State and the Governments of the Peoples Republic 

 of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Poland and the 

 Russian Republic. This agreement has the strength and bite to pro- 

 tect our straddling stocks. I respectfully request that when the 

 agreement is sent to the Congress, please take immediate and posi- 

 tive action. 



As an advisor to the Department of State on this agreement, I 

 believe it will go a long way toward a permanent solution in con- 

 serving the Central Bering Sea stocks. We are continuing our delib- 

 erations in Seoul in early October, and the introduction of this bill 

 will give strong support to this goal. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to testify before 

 the Subcommittee today, and I would be happy to respond to any 

 questions you or the other Members may have. 



Mr. Manton. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. 



[The statement of Mr. Morgan can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



Mr. Manton. Before we go to the next panelist I would like to 

 announce the presence of our full committee Chairman, Mr. 

 Studds. 



Chairman Studds. Thank you for your prompt holding of this 

 hearing and what I am certain will be fairly prompt consideration 

 of the legislation. 



I just wanted to indicate, in this 12-ring circus in which we all 

 try to survive these days, that — at least momentarily by my pres- 

 ence today — my strong support and concern for the legislation and 

 our respect for the North Atlantic fisheries crews. 



