RIASSUNTO
ABSTRACT
The world's fisheries resources have been under increasing pressure from a greatly expanded harvesting capacity. The common property aspect of the fisheries resources, coupled with the lack of effective management regimes, has resulted in the depletion of a number of valuable fish stocks. In the near future, the United States will attain the authority and responsibility to manage the fisheries resources in a 200-mile extended economic zone. The anticipated changes in functions and responsibilities of the National Marine Fisheries Service are described based on the current understanding of the proposed fisheries management regime under extended jurisdiction.
INTRODUCTION
In the last 30 years the world fish catch has tripled, while United States commercial landings have remained nearly constant. Foreign catches off the U.S. coast have increased to nearly twice those of the U.S. fleets and the catch by 30 million marine anglers has grown to an estimated one-third of the U.S. commercial catch. The currently averages about 11 billion pounds, valued at approximately $6.6 billion retail. The potential annual catch from the U.S. coastal resources is estimated between 20 and 40 billion pounds, worth at least $12 billion retail.
These resources are subject to competitive harvesting by foreign and domestic fishermen; 14,000 U.S. vessels over 5 gross tons and up a thousand foreign vessels, most over 250 tons, fish off the United States. This fishing effort has depleted many valuable stocks of fish to a point where their future and that of the industries depending on them are in jeopardy. Meanwhile, the U.S. consumption of fish has doubled since 1945, the extra supplies coming from a six-fold increase in imports. Future U.S. supplies will be limited as the worldwide catch approaches its potential, which may be in a few years, and as other nations increase their demands for fish.
International mechanisms to protect fish stocks have been only partially successful. The third session of the Law of the Sea (LOS) Conference, began in New York in March, in an attempt to establish a basis for fisheries resources. At the same time, Congress is proposing interim legislation consistent with LOS negotiating texts. Either as a result of action by the Law of the Sea Conference or through unilateral action by the United States Congress, the United States will extend its jurisdiction from 12 miles to 200 miles in the near future. This will change the Federal authority for fisheries management from almost none to one of management of the multitude of resources between 3 and 200 miles. This new regime will give the United States authority to manage, protect, and provide the opportunity to utilize marine fishery resources.