n 



tives to tlie States iincl regions to carry out 

 sucli programs. 



The discussion above necessarily is couched 

 in general terms with emphasis on eco- 

 nomically sound principles of management. 

 A number of more specific proposals to 

 achieve the goal of improving fishermen's net 

 economic return are discussed in the Report 

 of the Commission's Panel on Marine 

 Resources. 



Rehabilitation of U.S. Domestic Fisheries 



Steps to rehabilitate U.S. domestic fisheries 

 cannot await tlie full implementation of the 

 management principles advanced above, nor 

 would such a system of management fulfill 

 all the needs of U.S. industry. It would not, 

 for example, develop profitable U.S. fishing 

 operations on the huge underutilized stocks 

 off U.S. coasts. 



The situation of the U.S.-flag fisheries 

 stands in sharp contrast to the record growth 

 of the world's high seas fisheries. Landings 

 by U.S. vessels liave remained almost con- 

 stant over the past three decades, and during 

 that period the United States has dropped 

 from second to sixth among the world's fish- 

 ing nations. U.S. vessels land about one-third 

 of the total fisli consumed in the United 

 States and harvest less than one-tenth of the 

 total production potential available over the 

 U.S. continental shelf. Although tliere are 

 areas of successful performance— most not- 

 ably in the tuna and shrimp fisheries — and 

 although the U.S. catch is third or fourth if 

 measured by dollar value, the U.S. fishing 



The U.S. fishing fleet in, hy and 

 large, technically oiitmotled. There 

 arc, hoiccvcr, such notable 

 exceptions as the Pacific coast tuna 

 fleet. Purse seine net is stacked on 

 the tuna clipper West Point, and the 

 tuna clipper .T. XI. Mnrtiiinf .stands 

 out from Taconia, Washington. 



