The Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2013
by Representative Madeleine Z. BordalloPosted on 2013-01-03
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BORDALLO
of guam
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce legislation to
strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and
unregulated (IUU) fishing. Illegal fishing threatens the economic and
social infrastructure of fishing communities, and the security of the
United States and our allies around the world, by decreasing
opportunities for legitimate and conscientious fishermen.
Guam, and the other Pacific islands, host rich fisheries resources,
including pristine reefs, diverse communities of reef fish, and large
populations of sharks and valuable tuna; important economic and
cultural assets for the islands. IUU fishing threatens these resources.
There have been several incidents of foreign fishing vessels operating
within the United States' EEZ with impunity--a significant national
security and economic risk to our country.
This problem can be particularly acute in places like Guam, where the
EEZ is vast, and where the United States Coast Guard, despite its best
efforts, has insufficient resources to patrol all of our waters. The
United States' Pacific lands represent 43% of the EEZ. Our focus should
be on the posture of our Coast Guard in the Asia-Pacific region. The
Navy and Coast Guard have recognized the economic and security threats
posed by illegal fishing in Oceania and it is incumbent on the
Administration and Congress to put resources towards these
requirements.
The loss of economic opportunity weakens our allies in the Pacific
and strengthens resource conflicts in the region. Recent reports have
documented that IUU fishing accounts for between 10 and 22% of the
reported global fish catch, or $9-24 billion in gross revenues each
year (MRAG, 2009, Sumaila et al., 2006 and Agnew et al., 2009). The
Coast Guard estimates that over $1.7 billion is lost annually to IUU
fishing in the Pacific Islands. Additional action is needed from
Congress if we are to be successful in combating IUU fishing and the
depletion of fish stocks worldwide. This bill will help to provide our
Coast Guard with the tools to better enforce regulations throughout the
sector.
The ``Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing Enforcement
Enhancement Act of 2013,'' which I introduced today, further enhances
the enforcement authority of NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard to regulate
IUU fishing. This bill would amend international and regional fishery
management organization (RFMO) agreements to incorporate the civil
penalties, permit sanctions, criminal offenses, civil forfeitures and
enforcement sections of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. It would strengthen enforcement authority of NOAA and
the U.S. Coast Guard to inspect conveyances, facilities, and records
involving the storage, processing, transport and trade of fish and fish
products, and to detain fish and fish products for up to five days
while an investigation is ongoing.
In addition, this bill makes technical adjustments allowing NOAA to
more effectively carry out current IUU identification mandates,
including extending the duration of time for identification of
violators from the preceding two years to the preceding three years.
This bill broadens data sharing authority to enable NOAA to share
information with foreign governments and clarifies that all information
collected may be shared with international organizations and foreign
governments for the purpose of conducting enforcement. This bill would
also establish an international cooperation and assistance program to
provide technical expertise to other nations to help them address IUU
fishing. This bill, however, does not authorize new funding or
appropriations. The bill is a cost neutral measure that would enhance
our nation's security.
Finally, this bill implements the Antigua Convention, an important
international agreement that provides critical updates to the
principles, functions, and processes of the Inter-American Tropical
Tuna Commission (IATTC) to manage fisheries in the eastern Pacific
Ocean. The Antigua Convention modernizes the IATTC and increases its
capacity to combat IUU fishing and illegal imports of tuna product.
Without implementing legislation, the U.S. does not have the
authorities necessary to satisfy its commitments under the Antigua
Convention, including addressing IUU in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Increased enforcement increases stability among our allies in the
Western Pacific. Many nations depend upon fishing as a vital component
of their national economy. Fishing communities are the lifeblood of
Guam, part of a cultural history extending back centuries. Protecting
our fishermen from illegal fishing enhances economic opportunities and
protects cultural and natural resources that our communities rely upon.
IUU fishermen are ``free riders'' who benefit unfairly from the
sacrifices made by U.S. fishermen and others for the sake of proper
fisheries conservation and management.
I would like to thank Reps. Markey, Sablan, Pierluisi, and
Christensen for joining me as original cosponsors and I look forward to
working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this
important bill through the legislative process.
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