March 7, 1975
Page 5779
MAINE LEGISLATURE SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF U.S. FISHING ZONE TO 200 MILES
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator HATHAWAY and myself, I ask unanimous consent that a joint resolution adopted by the Maine Legislature, urging Congress to approve the extension of the U.S. fishing management jurisdiction to 200 miles, be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the joint resolution was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
STATE OF MAINE—JOINT RESOLUTION
Joint resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to extend the United States fisheries management jurisdiction 200 miles seaward from its boundaries.
We, your Memorialists, the House of Representatives and Senate of the State of Maine in the One Hundred and Seventh Legislature, now assembled, most respectfully present and petition your Honorable Body as follows:
Whereas, Maine fishermen are currently losing the livelihood of generations through failure of the Federal Government to control excessive foreign fishing off the coast; and
Whereas, Federal negotiations at the "law of the sea" conference even if successful will take 6 to 10 years to ratify and implement leaving little or no protection during the interim; and
Whereas, this inaction has prompted the Maine Legislature to declare Maine's fisheries management jurisdiction 200 miles seaward from its boundaries or to the edge of the continental shelf; and
Whereas, the Congress of the United States must act now to extend United States fisheries management jurisdiction beyond 12 miles to the 200mile limit before fishing stocks are exhausted; now, therefore, be it
Resolved: That We, your Memorialists, respectfully recommend and urge the Congress of the United States to use every possible means at its command to pass legislation which will extend the fisheries management jurisdiction of the United States without interfering with Canada 200 miles seaward or to the edge of the continental shelf and thus reduce the chances of further depletion of fishing stocks by overfishing; and be it further
Resolved: That a duly authenticated copy of this Memorial be immediately submitted by the Secretary of State to The Honorable Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States and to each Member of the Senate and House of Representatives in the Congress of the United States from this State.