Haley Stevens: “during the 104th Congress, Senators Breaux, Chafee, Moseley-Braun, Murkowski, Thurmond, Simpson and I introduced…”

“during the 104th Congress, Senators Breaux, Chafee, Moseley-Braun, Murkowski, Thurmond, Simpson and I introduced legislation (S. 1420) to implement the ``Panama Declaration,'' an agreement under which twelve nations would comply with a new regime to reduce dolphin mortality and conserve marine resources in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Our bill was approved by voice vote in the Senate Commerce Committee, and its companion (H.R. 2823) was passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives. Because of our focus in the second session of the 104th Congress on reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, we were not able to turn to the International Dolphin Conservation Program Act until the closing weeks, and opponents of the measure were able to prevent its passage simply by objecting on the Senate floor. We believe the bill would have passed in the Senate by a large majority if they had not objected. I am pleased today to be joined by Senators Breaux, Thurmond, and Murkowski in reintroducing the bill. On September 30, 1996, Majority Leader Lott committed to us that he will do everything he can to provide time on the Senate floor if it is necessary to pass this important measure. The Panama Declaration would cap dolphin mortality in the ETP at 5,000 dolphin per year and set a goal of eventually eliminating dolphin mortality altogether in that area.”