We will continue to work closely with other countries, all of 

 whom have agreed to make every effort to conclude the negotiation 

 process during 1993. 



Turning to the matter of the U.S. joining the Northwest Atlantic 

 Fisheries Organization, the Department supports H.R. 3058 and 

 U.S. involvement in NAFO. Extension of fisheries jurisdiction to 

 200 miles required U.S. withdrawal from NAFO's predecessor, the 

 International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries. 

 The U.S. recognized, however, that a successor organization should 

 continue many important functions of the Commission, especially 

 data collection, scientific research and rationale management of 

 straddling stocks. 



We played an active role in the negotiations that led to the 

 NAFO convention. 



The Department, through the National Marine Fisheries Service, 

 has continued to submit catch and effort information to NAFO re- 

 lating to U.S. fishing activities in areas regulated by NAFO. We 

 have participated in NAFO's scientific as well as management ac- 

 tivities in an observer capacity. 



The benefits of these activities to the United States would be sig- 

 nificantly enhanced were the U.S. to become a contracting party to 

 the NAFO convention. 



In addition, by joining NAFO, we would have a voice in the con- 

 servation and management decisions affecting fishery resources in 

 the NAFO regulatory area, including the allocation of catches 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 U.S. to 

 express its interests in the international regulatory body. 



Also, the U.S. 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 proc- 

 esses such as one the U.S. is leading regarding the Donut Hole fish- 

 eries where regional organizations do not exist. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be happy to answer any ques- 

 tions at the appropriate time. 



Mr. Manton. Thank you. We will go through the panel and then 

 open up for questions. 



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

 hearing.] 



Mr. Manton. Mr. Ron Somerville, Special Assistant to the Com- 

 missioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 



STATEMENT OF RON SOMERVILLE, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE 

 COMMISSIONER, ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



Mr. Somerville. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I am Ron Somerville. I am Special Assistant to the Commissioner 

 of Fish and Game for the State of Alaska. I am pleased to be here 

 to present the views of the State of Alaska regarding House Con- 

 current Resolution 135 and the issues surrounding the Central 

 Bering Sea Donut Hole. 



