57 



Stability and predictability of treaty fisheries important to Southeast Alaska's fishing communities 

 have generally improved compared to pre-treaty periods, but there is room for additional progress. 

 Cooperation between fishery managers and scientists has increased substantially under the treaty. 



Although the relationship between the two governments deteriorated during the past year due to 

 differences of views regarding treaty implementation, it appears that a positive process to resolve 

 differences has been agreed to beginning this fall. 



In my view, the treaty provides the basic framework to allow and encourage the two countries to build 

 on the significant progress already made since 1985. To take advantage of this framework, we must 

 learn from our past experiences and be willing to investigate new and innovative ways to share in the 

 production and benefits of our mutual salmon resources. 



3 ) What are the main obstacles to achieving a unified United States negotiating position, and 

 what are your specific recommendations for reaching a negotiating position? 



To put my answer to this question in proper perspective, it is important that the committee be aware 

 of the fact that the United States has on most occasions, beginning with the 1985 treaty, achieved a 

 unified United States negotiating position. In fact, this has been the rule, rather than the exception. 



1 know that members of this committee clearly understand the complexity of fisheries issues and 

 decision processes in each of your individual constituent states. The United States Section of the 

 Pacific Salmon Commission multiplies that complexity several fold, represenUng three primary 

 states-Alaska, Washington, and Oregon-plus more than twenty Indian tribes. Thousands of salmon 

 stocks, hundreds of fishing communities, and numerous regional decision processes are involved. 



Although the United States Section decision process for achieving a unified position is sometimes 

 long and tedious, requiring consensus of the three Wash./Oregon, Alaskan, and Tribal commissioners, 

 it respects and accommodates to the maximum extent possible the collective needs and interests of the 

 participating parties. 



