Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
256 Figueroa Street #1, Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-5238
www.alliancefisheries.com

 

Statement of Kathy Fosmark
Co-Chair, Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans
Hearing on H.R. 1187
October 24, 2007

            Madame Chair, members of the Subcommittee, for the record my name is Kathy Fosmark and I am appearing today to present the views of the Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries on H.R. 1187, the “Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act.”

            The Alliance is a non profit organization representing eighteen commercial and recreational fishing organizations, ports, and harbors along the California Coast. Based in Monterey, California, the Alliance advocates for the heritage and economic value of fishing to California coastal communities by offering a broadly representative educational and promotional voice for waterfront communities to work constructively with interested agencies, individuals, and other marine protection organizations in order to ascertain and guarantee that:  the best and most current oceanographic, socio-economic and fisheries science is accurately compiled; that science is readily available to the public for use in crafting and promoting public policy; and that the linkage between healthy sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and coastal communities is firmly established in the public mind.  The Alliance and its members have extensive experience in dealing with the National Marine Sanctuary Program over the past 15 years.

            On a personal level, I am part of a multi-generation fishing family that first settled in California in the 1800’s.  I fished commercially with my father and my husband over the course of 30 years and our eldest son now has entered the fishery.  Our family has fished in the Pacific Ocean, including in the area covered by these Sanctuaries, for tuna, salmon, swordfish, crab, halibut, shrimp, and groundfish using a variety of gear types.  I am also a member of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, although the views I am presenting today do not necessarily reflect those of the Council or its other members.

            Fishermen do not oppose the concept of National Marine Sanctuaries.  In fact, it was California fishermen who worked hard to have both of these Sanctuaries created.  We recognize that Sanctuaries are designed to conserve special areas in the ocean and prevent damage to sensitive resources and habitats.

            However, when California fishermen supported creation of these Sanctuaries, they did so under a condition that has become popularly known as the “promise to fishermen”:  the Sanctuaries would not manage or otherwise regulate fisheries and fishing activities.  Fisheries management in the ocean waters off California is in the hands of the Pacific Fishery Management Council.  Fishermen are familiar and comfortable with the Council’s system of management, which is an open and transparent process that is based on the best scientific information available and that solicits and respects diverse views.  Without that promise, fishermen would not have supported creation of the Sanctuaries.

            This is the focus of our concerns regarding the language of H.R. 1187.  We appreciate Congresswoman Woolsey’s statement up front in the bill (section 3(c)) that nothing is intended to “alter any existing authorities” regarding fishing.  Those existing authorities rest on the weak

 

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