The Daily Alaska empire., 1945-06-22

dtions rather than savishy adhere In nnd ana acoi to obsolete past.
 The three mile rule" that nation owns stril of water only three miles wide along its coast grey from the idea that nation was entitled to only s' much of the adjoining sea it could defend iron shore and that the greatest range which would ever have would be three miles Cannon, of course now shoot far beyond that distance but the big navy nations including own, have thought 1t to be i their advantage to hold smaller nations down to tht narrow limit. One major nation, along with many small ones has refused subscribe to this three mile rule
 Concerning fishing history, it should be noted tha ocean fisheries long believed to be inexhaustibe This belief may have been reasonable before the day of steam gasoline and diesel power Now with tho increased speed range and efficiency of fishery vessels, with installation of cold storage and othel facilities overfishing frequently It has beer demonstrated that it is essential to the perpeuatior of various fisheries that conservation methods be ap piled far beyond three miles from shore Almost nine tenths of the North Pacific halibut catch is taker beyond that distance.
 It is not inappropriate to consider fish in terms of an annual crop. And annual world fishery croE estimated at thirty billion pounds is well worth main- aning But though the economic value of fisheries gives them great importance it is only indirectly feature of their susceptibility to cause war. The Japa- nese prior December l94i did not invade Montana to enter cattle raising but they did into Bristol Bay Alaska and seriously threatened to destroy the great red salmon fishery in which fishermen had been engaged for generations.
 Different areas of this world have vastly different types of fisheries and very different histories of ticipation in those fisheries. Habut inhabt only those limited banks in the northern hemisphere which have the desired depth and temperature. Whales range the seven seas. Fishermen from dozen coun- tries have fished the narrow confines of the North Sea- Until the recent Japanese invasion just re- ferred the fishery vessels of Canada and the United States for many years had exclusive use of the entire northwest coast of this continent No universal rule of thumb can properly deal with these divergent fish cries Each area has its distinctive international pcations which demand distinctive treatment.
 From Pacific Coast standpoint, Canada, the U. s. s. R. and the United States should work out a sound permanent plan concerning the Northern Pacific Ocean fisheries Japan should be considered but not consulted In fact, while the still is is the time decide these fisheries to be dealt with so that the terms may be embodied in any peace arrangements with Japan
 But it does not follow that the plan for the pro- lection of salmon and halibut should be applied to tuna sardines AS to these fish California will have it's own ideas which should receive friendly con- sderation from Oregon and Washington regardless of how different they may be.
 Other nations should not attempt to obstruct con- servaion measures found by these area groups be essential Neither should these groups interfere in the solution of fishery problems of other regions with which they have direct There is logical reason why-wth their varying conditions physical and historical-the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans need to be treated in the way at the same time.
 Conservation of ocean fisheries not await the debates of theorists. The subject matter might in the meantime disappear Already important fisheries are being depleted The world needs this food supply. Restorative action is needed When the is over may be too late.
 Something be done. Canada and the United States have proved that through their International Fisheries Commission. The halibut fishery, which extends from Northern California along the shores of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska, overfished that it was hardly worthwhile for the fishermen to out upon the banks. Fishermen, vessel and dealers all appealed Ottawa and Washington for help.
 After an investigation the International Fisheries Commission consisting of two members from each country but acting a unit, by treaty given power to adopt regulations which when approved by each nations executive, have the effect of law as to the citizens and vessels of both countries both within and outside of their national boundaries
 In spite of the affront to strict ideas of national sovereignty, both nations happy the arrange ment The once depleted halibut banks have been so rehabilitated that the fishermen catching far fish with less effort and these North Pacific banks now afford the finest halibut fishing in the world
 Fishermen, operators and better yet the members of the great consuming public may well unite in demanding that the enormous natural resources of the shall not be destroyed. Prompt and vigorous action should be taken to the maintenance of great coastal fisheries upon the largest possible recurrent annual production basis It can be done.