practices in the development of any fishery management plan 

 under the Magnuson Act is also provided. 



The third and last concept on which the committees will receive 

 testimony today is entitled The Pacific Insular Areas Fisheries 

 Empowerment Act, which also proposes amendments to the Mag- 

 nuson Act. I will leave the description of these proposed amend- 

 ments to the experts in the field, from whom the committees will 

 be hearing this morning. 



The committees look forward to receiving the testimony today, 

 testimony which will be reviewed closely by many when we return 

 to Washington with the transcript of this hearing and your written 

 submissions. 



Now, if I may, I would like to call on the first panel. The first 

 panel consists of the Chairman of the Western Pacific Regional 

 Fishery Management Council, Edwin A. Ebisui, Jr.; Jesus C. Borja, 

 Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 

 Islands; High Chief Alo Paul Stevenson, Manager, BHP Petroleum, 

 South Pacific, Inc., Pago Pago, American Samoa; April K. Romero, 

 Mid-Pacific Hawaii Fishery, Inc., Hilo, HI; and James Keliipio 

 Kahea Mawae of Hoolehua, Molokai, HI. 



Before we proceed, I would like to call on my very good friend 

 and colleague, Senator Akaka. 



STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL K. AKAKA, U.S. SENATOR FROM 



HAWAII 



Senator Akaka. Thank you very much, and welcome to all of you. 

 I want to say mahalo to our chairman for holding this hearing on 

 the proposed amendment to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation 

 and Management Act, and I want to thank the chairman for the 

 opportunity to make this statement this morning. 



The Western Pacific fisheries hold great cultural and economic 

 significance for Native Hawaiians. Generations of Native Hawai- 

 ians and indigenous peoples have used marine resources for their 

 daily needs. A significant part of their lifestyle, culture, customs, 

 and religion is associated with the sea. Fishing was a part of their 

 daily lives. Today, fisheries provide food and livelihood for many 

 local communities. 



Much can be learned from the traditional fishing practices of Na- 

 tive Hawaiians. Before western contact, Native Hawaiians man- 

 aged and conserved the fisheries by regulating the taking of the 

 fish. A kapu was placed on certain fish. Fishing seasons were es- 

 tablished to promote the long-term health of the fishery. Native 

 Hawaiians managed the marine resources for the benefit of all. 



Today, however, there are major problems facing the world's fish- 

 eries. Many of the highly valued fish stocks are in decline. It is 

 critical that we implement effective management measures to pre- 

 vent any further decline. 



We must actively conserve, manage, and allocate the fisheries off 

 our shores. This will require strong, collaborative efforts among all 

 who use this resource if long- term management goals are to suc- 

 ceed. We must all work together to conserve the resource for future 

 generations. 



I look forward to hearing the testimony today on this important 

 issue. Again, I say mahalo to our guests. 



