dollar value was shrimp.^* U.S. coastal waters 

 have an estimated annual sustainable total fish 

 yield of 30 billion pounds.^ ' 



Coastal and estuarine waters and marshlands are 

 vital to the nutrients and Ufe support of about two 

 thirds of the entire marine fisheries harvest. Seven 

 of the 10 most valuable species in our commercial 

 fisheries spend all or important portions of their 

 life cycle in estuarine waters and at least 80 other 

 commercially important species are dependent on 

 estuarine areas. 



The fisheries in the estuarine zone are charac- 

 terized by their diversity. As in all cases where 

 political boundaries are superimposed on natural 

 systems, systems of laws and regulations have 

 developed in many States that impede wise 

 resource exploitation or preclude truly adequate 

 conservation. Many species of fish have either life 

 ranges or migratory and distribution patterns that 

 cross the artificial political boundaries. 



A few examples illustrate some of the prob- 

 lems. Many States have laws estabUshed either 

 upon urisupported assumptions or to accommo- 

 date a particular interest group, often the sport 

 fisherman, at the expense of the commercial 

 fisherman. 



For instance, in Maine it is prohibited to take 

 tuna other than with a harpoon or hook and line. 

 No rational purpose seems to exist for this 

 prohibition and the use of appropriate equipment 

 conceivably could double the tuna catch while 

 both maintaining the tuna stock and preserving 

 sport fishing. 



In Connecticut, "Blue Laws" prohibit commer- 

 cial fishing for smelt, tomcod, shad, alewives, and 

 glut herring from Friday sunset to Monday sunrise. 

 This measure seriously inhibits commercial fishery 

 development. 



In Alaska, certain types of vessels and fishing 

 gear are excluded in taking salmon, shrimp, and 

 clams without a clearly established scientific or 

 conservation basis. If the mentioned resources are 

 to be exploited consistent with efficiency and 

 maximum sustained yield these regulations should 

 be modified. 



Such provisions have the overall effect of 

 depressing the commercial fishery resource to the 

 detriment of the State, industry, and wise conser- 

 vation. It is probable that the near-shore fishery 

 could double without depletion if certain measures 

 including adequate regulatory provisions were 

 adopted. 



A legal framework relating to the coastal waters 

 should be established sufficiently uniform to 

 accommodate the continuous natural system it 

 seeks to regulate. The basic objective of State laws 

 and regulations should be a healthy commercial 

 and sport fishery consistent with multiple or 

 shared use, economic efficiency, and maximum 

 sustainable yield. 



These objectives should be attained on a 

 regional basis or on a National scale through 

 greater uniformity in State laws and regulations 

 which are species-oriented, non-discriminatory, 

 rooted in scientific knowledge, and motivated by 

 the desire to exploit Uving resources to the fullest 

 extent possible consistent with efficiency and 

 maximum sustainable yield. Certain local peculi- 

 arities would necessitate variations, but laws and 

 regulations among the States must be inter- 

 related.'" 



Figure 7. The role of the fishing industry is 

 often hampered by obsolete equipment and 

 conflicting laws. (Coast Guard photo) 



Next to economics and legal problems, the 

 fishing industry is concerned over the encroach- 

 ment of the petroleum industry on what here- 

 tofore have been exclusive fishing grounds. Recent 



28 



Ibid 



^'Report of the Panel on Fishing at the Second 

 Conference on the Continental Shelf, National Security 

 Industrial Association-Ocean Science & Technology Advi- 

 sory Committee (OSTAC), November 1967. 



'^Fisheries problems are discussed in greater detail and 

 specific recommendations are contained in the Report of 

 the Resources Panel of the Commission on Marine 

 Science, Engineering and Resources. 



III-21 



