FROM THE CROWE’S NEST

Rules Already In Place

After two years of political campaigns, and four months of government tax dollar give-aways, it would seem to be time to change the subject. But the country’s rejection of a third Bush administration, may result in a January surprise with a version of a third Clinton administration.

The importance of the president’s cabinet to the fishing industry is in the choice for Secretary of Commerce. That cabinet post oversees NOAA, which oversees the National Marine Fisheries Service, which overruns the fishing industry. The choice of former Clinton administration ambassador and governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, was for an experienced politician interested in conservation and environmental issues. These are two interests that could go either way for fishermen.

The fact that he has been a governor was a break with the traditional corporate executive appointee to this office. This is important because he is experienced in dealing with legislative bodies including congress, the administration, and a range of priorities. That could mean less emphasis on the corporate mantra of consolidation of fisheries, and a new consideration of the many alternate voices, to date unheard.

Washington, and in particular the Bush administration, has not valued the American fishing industry, beyond using it as a pawn in political games. The recent International Commission for the Conser- vation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) meeting ended, as it has for years, with the toothless U.S. stance that is likely to soon result in the total exclusion of the U.S. from swordfish and tuna quota.

The European Community countries play unrestrained political hardball while Washington plays footsie. Dealing and politics in these global fisheries is tough, intense, and for some countries, it is take no prisoners when it comes to the U.S. and ICCAT.

Richardson is out, but the fishing industry needs a Secretary of Commerce with the experience of a Bill Richardson. It needs someone in authority who knows the Magnusen-Stevens Act regarding the protection of fishing communities, not just its industrial mandate. Whoever is chosen needs to be shown how the focus on corporate consolidation by NMFS has undermined that part of the Act. The secretary should have international experience enough to use his authority to take the gloves off in dealing with the EC countries on enforcing rules already in place there as well.