[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 21959-21960] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]INTRODUCTION OF THE GEORGES BANK PRESERVATION ACT ______ HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY of massachusetts in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, I am introducing the Georges Bank Preservation Act today because America's most valuable fishery and one of the Nation's most important marine areas, Georges Bank, will be in the crosshairs of the oil and gas industry when the moratorium on offshore drilling expires October 1. Georges Bank is a fragile environmental region that is already recovering from other recent pressures like over-fishing. Allowing oil and gas drilling in Georges Bank could forever destroy this ecosystem and our nation's most important fishery. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Government from issuing any lease authorizing exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in Georges Bank. Keeping protections against drilling in Georges Bank [[Page 21960]] would affect less than 2 percent of Federal land on the outer Continental Shelf. The legislation would also protect any areas designated as marine national monuments or national marine sanctuaries, including the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Massachusetts. The language in the Georges Bank Preservation Act is identical to what was included in H.R. 6899, which has already passed the House in an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 236-189. The Northeast fishery landings are valued at approximately $800 million annually and Georges Bank is the key to the region. New Bedford, MA is by far the most productive fishing port in the United States, in terms of value of catch. Its $268 million catch in 2007 was nearly equal to the combined value of the catches of Dutch Harbor, AK and Kodiak Harbor, AK--the second and third most valuable fishing ports in the Nation. New Bedford has been number 1 for 8 straight years. Last year, commercial fishing brought nearly $350 million into Massachusetts alone. There has been a moratorium on fishing in areas of Georges Bank for over a decade and we are seeing signs of recovery. If we were to allow oil drilling at this critical time in the recovery of Georges Bank, it would be disastrous to the full restoration of this critical marine habitat. Canada--which has a claim to approximately one-fifth of Georges Bank--recognizes the region's importance and fragility and has a moratorium on drilling in the area through 2012. We need to send a signal to Canada that we too will keep in place the protections against drilling in this unique marine ecosystem. Georges Bank is geologically and biologically unique. Warm and cold currents come together and circulate to help make the shallow water's depth, temperature, and nutrient content perfect for life. Georges Bank is home to more than 100 species of fish and shellfish, including cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, herring, and sea scallops. While I will continue to fight for a full extension of the moratorium on offshore drilling on the east and west coasts of the United States, I am introducing this bill today--along with my colleagues in the Massachusetts delegation, to highlight the vital importance of protecting the Georges Banks and other particularly sensitive offshore lands from the environmental hazards associated with oil and natural gas exploration and production. We must not let Big Oil claim one of New England's most important economic and environmental treasures. The Georges Bank Preservation Act will prevent the oil and gas industry from invading America's most precious fishery and one of our Nation's most unique marine habitats. ____________________