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processing, packaging, services, repairs, transportation, and sales. 

 The fishing industry is essential to the economy of New England. 

 Georges Bank is essential to the fishing industry. 



Let me remind the committee that although there have not been 

 any spills, there have been problems. There have been reports of 

 occasions where the anchor systems of the rigs have failed to hold. 

 In February 1982 the world's largest oil rig, the Ocean Ranger, cap- 

 sized in a storm off the Atlantic coast of Canada. The seas can be 

 just as rough off the coast of New England. 



In addition to the threat of an oilspill, there may be the long- 

 range problems caused by the discharge of drilling muds and cut- 

 tings. We are not certain what the effect of the discharge of muds 

 and cuttings will have on Georges Bank. No one can state for cer- 

 tain that there will be no adverse effects. Without regular, consist- 

 ent monitoring of the area, we will not know. 



The studies by the biological task force are essential if we are to 

 learn what these effects are and how to protect this valuable re- 

 source. Strict enforcement of the Clean Water Act and the guide- 

 lines governing pollutant discharge elimination systems is essen- 

 tial. 



The activities of the task forces should be expanded so that the 

 proposed area for oil and gas activities can be studied prior to the 

 commencement of the operations. 



I urge this committee to continue to support the work of the bio- 

 logical task force and to continue its efforts to pass legislation cre- 

 ating an oilspill cleanup superfund. 



Thank you for the opportunity to present the views of the New 

 Bedford fishermen. We deeply appreciate this committee's ongoing 

 interest in pollution control and the protection of Georges Bank. 



I will be glad to answer any questions you may have. 



Mr. D' Amours. Thank you, Mr. Costakes. 



Since you are the last up, I will ask you the first question. It is 

 an interesting one, because it occurs frequently during the congres- 

 sional deliberations, at least before the Subcommittee on Oceanog- 

 raphy. That is that some note that the fishing community and the 

 oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico get along very well and 

 peacefully coexist, and really have no great problems amongst 

 themselves. 



However, in Georges Bank, the two industries appear to view 

 each other with some hostility. I am just wondering, is this situa- 

 tion unique to the Georges Bank area, and do the two industries 

 communicate, and if not why not, and what is the difference? 



Mr. Costakes. I have been kind of involved in the last 10 or 12 

 years discussing several items with the oil companies, discussing 

 possible traffic lanes to go to these offshore rigs, and several other 

 items that we discuss. I think the potential is much more danger- 

 ous off the coast of New England than it is down in the Gulf of 

 Mexico for a lot of reasons. 



I think the tides are a lot stronger, the weather conditions are 

 far, far worse than they could be in the Gulf of Mexico. I think 

 those are part of the reasons that we always try to find some way 

 to have a complete monitoring of all the activities going on. 



Mr. D' Amours. Why is it that apparently, if we are to believe 

 what we hear sometimes from people who come from that way, 



