Gerry Studds: “H.R. 3886 amends the boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to include a small area known as…”

“H.R. 3886 amends the boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to include a small area known as Stetson Bank. The gentleman from Texas [Mr. Ortiz] who admirably serves as the chairman of our Oceanography Subcommittee, was the sponsor of the original legislation that established Flower Garden Banks as a national marine sanctuary. He introduced H.R. 3886 to provide the same protection for Stetson Bank by making it a part of the sanctuary. He is to be commended for both actions. This sanctuary was established in 1992 to protect the northernmost coral reef on the U.S. continental shelf. A nearby area, Stetson Bank, is a three-quarter square mile shoal know for a spectacular array of marine life. However, damage to that marine life from anchoring, shell collecting, and spearfishing led to calls from scientists and the sport diving community to protect the area. This bill provides that protection. This is a wise, cost-effective effort to protect vital marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico and I urge the House to adopt this bill.”