Mark Hatfield: “we are obliged to be responsible stewards of our environment, both here and abroad. Even in these times of fiscal…”

“we are obliged to be responsible stewards of our environment, both here and abroad. Even in these times of fiscal restraint, it would be counterproductive to cut back on the investment we have made in our environment and indeed in our own future. Growing concern over the deterioration of our global resources and environment has forced us to examine ways in which we can redouble our efforts to protect and conserve these valuable resources. However, protection need not be at the expense of our ability to enjoy, enhance, and utilize our resources. There are few industries whose future is as directly dependent on the conservation of a resource as commercial fishing. As residents of Oregon's coastal communities recently learned, due to the closing of a commercial salmon season, when fish populations suffer that hardship is passed along to fishermen, processors, and consumers. The problem of dwindling fishery resources is not unique to the Pacific Northwest. Virtually every region of the country has experienced some form of decay in the commercial fishing industry. Therefore, it is critical that we fulfill our obligation to protect and responsibly manage our Nation's fisheries. The Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act has been our Nation's principal offshore fisheries conservation policy since it was enacted in 1976. I am gratified the Senate has overcome the substantial barriers that were preventing this important legislation from being considered.”