Olympia Snowe: “I rise in support of H.R. 1651, the Fishermen's Protective Act Amendments of 1999. This bill makes a number of…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1651, the Fishermen's Protective Act Amendments of 1999. This bill makes a number of conservation and management improvements to several important fisheries laws. First, it amends the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 to extend current law from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2003 so that reimbursement may be provided to owners of U.S. fishing vessels illegally detained or seized by foreign countries. In 1998, there were not any claims filed under this law, but in 1996 and 1997, U.S. vessel owners were reimbursed over $290,000 based on 261 claims for illegal transit fees charged by Canada. Because this provision of the law has expired, the bill will ensure that U.S. vessels who are illegally seized or fined are able to seek reimbursement. Second, the bill establishes a panel to advise the Secretaries of State and Interior on Yukon River Salmon management issues in Alaska.”