November 5, 2003

News from the Committee on Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Nicol Andrews (majority) 202-226-9019

Kristen Bossi (minority) 202-226-1736

Resources.Committee@mail.house.gov  (Mail_Resources_Republicans)

Washington, D.C. - In the spirit of bipartisanship, the House Resources Committee today approved legislation to safeguard marine mammals by reauthorizing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Based in part on recommendations issued in 2000 by the National Research Council, this legislation focuses the conservation and management of marine mammals on science.

H.R. 2693 defines harassment, clarifies limits on "takings" of marine mammals, and updates penalties and fines under the Act. Striking an important balance, it is a move toward conservation while at the same time allowing for science, research, and traditional activities such as fishing to continue.

"The system works," said House Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA). "This shows that we can reach bipartisan agreement on natural resources issues. In many cases, we have shared goals but cannot seem to find a way to reach agreement on the process. Today we sent good bipartisan policy to the floor."

"Although I do not agree with every provision in this bill, the manner in which the Members of this committee negotiated this compromise demonstrates what we can accomplish when partisan politics is cast aside in the name of crafting sound legislative solutions to protecting this country's natural heritage," said U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), the Ranking Democrat on the House Resources Committee.

Building on progress made in the 106th and 107th Congresses, the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Conservation and Oceans has held a total of seven hearings on how to best improve the implementation and enforcement of the MMPA. The Subcommittee heard testimony from 72 witnesses representing the scientific community, the environmental community, the fishing community, and the Alaska Native community.

The MMPA was enacted in 1972 for the purpose of restoring and maintaining healthy populations of marine mammals. The statute was most recently reauthorized in 1994. While not all stocks are at their optimum levels, the MMPA has been very effective in allowing marine mammal populations to grow. Several stocks that were of great concern in the early 1970s have rebounded.

"The proof is in the numbers," Pombo continued. "This bill recognizes that marine life is thriving in our oceans and near our coastlines. However, the law needs work and Mr. Gilchrest has offered an important first step."

"I approached this bill with the philosophy that there are no Republican or Democrat dolphins; last I checked, Flipper remained solidly in the Independent camp," concluded Rahall.