Abstract:
As background, at the national level, for many years the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries concentrated on exploratory
fishing, gear development, food science, catch statistics, scientific research, and marketing, and serviced the commercial
industry in a variety of ways. In the early 1970's the name was changed to National Marine Fisheries Service and with the
200 mile law in 1976, its role changed very significantly to include major responsibilities in management and enforcement. It
issues more than 400 rules a year. In 1978 its annual budget was about $150 million. In 2000 it is $383 million and the
president has requested $657 million for 2001.
I will discuss five examples of marine or anadromous fish life, the role government has played, the results to date, and some
views about the future. The examples are Columbia River salmon, Pacific halibut, marine mammals, endangered species,
and marine fish.
