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COMMONWEALTH OF 



THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 



Statement of Jesus C. Borja 



June 1, 1995 



Our draft amendments provide for appropriate federal over- 

 sight to ensure that this participation will not adversely affect 

 the national security and foreign affairs interests of the United 

 States . 



Regulatory authority 



Consistent with its ownership interests in fisheries re- 

 sources, a Pacific insular area should be able to approve federal 

 fishery management plans and to regulate fisheries in its adja- 

 cent territorial waters and exclusive economic zone when no plan 

 has been promulgated. Where a plan is in effect, a Pacific insu- 

 lar area should be able to enforce its own laws that do not con- 

 flict with the plan. Our draft includes mechanisms to ensure 

 that regulation by Pacific insular areas does not allow overfish- 

 ing and does not conflict with federal interests. 



Our draft amendments allow a Pacific insular area, in con- 

 junction with the Secretary of Commerce, to establish conditions 

 and restrictions on foreign fishing. 



Turnover of proceeds of fines, penalties and forfeitures 



The NMFS drafts provide that most permit and other fees will 

 accrue to the Pacific insular areas or be shared with the United 

 States, a principle that we endorse. But no similar provision is 



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