Gregorio Sablan: “This bill implements two important fisheries treaties: the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas…”

“This bill implements two important fisheries treaties: the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the South Pacific Ocean. These treaties cover bottom- and mid-water fisheries in the Pacific Ocean's international waters, and implementing them will give the United States a seat at the table to ensure access for our fishermen and sound management of the resource. H.R. 4576 also updates the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act and amends the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Act, and makes important changes to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. This set of changes will enhance our ability to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and give greater protection to sharks. I applaud the efforts of the gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) to bring this bill to the floor in its current form. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.”