32 



on at the Dixon Entrance are allowed to anchor in U.S. waters dur- 

 ing the night. Now, why does the Coast Guard allow this to occur? 



Capt. RlUTTA. First of all, I am Captain Riutta, Deputy Chief, Of- 

 fice of Law Enforcement and Defense Operations, Coast Guard 

 Headquarters. 



Primarily, sir, a reason for allowing this to occur is one of safety. 

 The Canadians fish fairly close to the line and it is on the northern 

 end of the Dixon Entrance. It is a long journey over some very 

 treacherous and open waters, as you well know, back to the Cana- 

 dian safe harbors, and we do this primarily strictly for safety of life 

 at sea. 



Mr. Young. It is also a long journey on the outside waters to 

 Alaska from Seattle and from Oregon, too. What actions does the 

 Coast Guard take to ensure that the Canadian vessels obey the 

 U.S. laws while anchored up in these waters? 



I am talking about all of the different things that we have to fol- 

 low; how closely do you review their actions? 



Capt. Riutta. Sir, when Canadian vessels are going to anchor 

 up, they are required to check with the Coast Guard. 



Mr. Young. Visibly, by radio? 



Capt. Riutta. By radio. 



Mr. Young. What happens if they do something incorrectly? 



Capt. Riutta. We patrol the anchorages on a regular basis. Gen- 

 erally, I think in the month of July, we were there 24 out of 30 

 days was the number I was quoted 



Mr. Young. Let me interrupt you now. 



To patrol by water or air? 



Capt. Riutta. Both. 



Mr. Young. How many times in sight, in the vicinity of the ves- 

 sel? How many vessels did you inspect? 



Capt. Riutta. I don't know that answer, sir. 



Mr. Young. Would you find out for me? 



Capt. Riutta. Yes, I will. 



Mr. YOLTSTG. How many vessels were boarded then? 



Capt. Riutta. I don't know that either, sir. 



Mr. Young. You can find that out for me too? 



Captain Riutta. Yes, I will. 



[The information was supplied following the hearing.] 



Coast Guard assets routinely operate in and around the three anchorage areas 

 used by Canadian fishing vessels to provide a visible U.S. presence, with the intent 

 of deterring any illegal or unauthorized activity. With this in mind, we attempt to 

 see, and be seen, in the area by as many Canadian fishing vessels as possible. The 

 number of fishing vessels utilizing the anchorages during any single patrol varies, 

 depending upon the conditions; however, during one 11-day period in July, a cutter 

 in the area visually inspected 78 Canadian fishing vessels. On 13 other days, a 

 Coast Guard vessel entered the anchorages to visually ensure compliance with U.S. 

 laws and to maintain a random enforcement presence; however, we do not have a 

 count of the number of vessels sighted. The Coast Guard does not routinely board 

 the vessels in the anchorage. We inspect the vessels visually to confirm that they 

 Eire not engaged in fishing activity, discharging pollution, or blatantly violating 

 other U.S. laws. Because the fishing vessels are anchored primarily to allow the 

 crews to rest during the night, there is usually very little activity. It's very easy to 

 determine when a vessel may not be in compliance, and if unusual activity is ob- 

 served, a boarding would be done. No boardings were conducted during July. 



Mr. Young. Does Canada extend that treatment to any U.S. ves- 

 sels? 



