Gore Says Protect U.S. Shorelines
By TOM KIRCHOFER
07:38 PM ET 09/02/99
BOSTON (AP) - Vice President Al Gore announced new initiatives Thursday designed
to protect the country's shorelines and oceans and promised federal help for struggling
New England fishermen. Calling for ``bold steps'' to protect the oceans, the Democratic
presidential front-runner said, ``They're not just part of the environment, but they're an
engine of our economy.'' Gore announced that President Clinton had signed a proclamation
Thursday giving American authorities the right to enforce environmental, customs and
immigration laws at sea within 24 nautical miles from shore, up from 12 miles.
``That's going to greatly increase our ability to protect our environment,''
said Gore, who also noted the measure would help authorities fight drug smugglers.
Prior to his speech at the aquarium, Gore cruised the harbor with teen-agers who
showed him tubs full of shellfish, seaweed and other marine life, helped him perform tests
on the water's clarity and even gave him a net to catch tiny plankton. He discussed with
them some of his environmental thoughts.
He announced $5 million in aid to help fishermen suffering from declining fish
populations and fisheries closures in the Gulf of Maine. In return for the money,
fishermen must agree to work with scientists conducting research on the health of the fish
stocks. ``No plan is worth anything unless it protects those working families who depend
on a healthy ocean,'' Gore said. ``I think that a clean and safe environment is the
foundation for a prosperous economy and a good way of life.''
In his remarks, Gore never mentioned his run for the White House. But with the
formerly filthy Boston Harbor as his backdrop, Thursday's event allowed him to highlight
what is often seen as one of his strongest policy areas.
``People said we couldn't act to clean up this harbor, but we have,'' Gore said.
He endorsed a report, signed by Navy Secretary Richard Danzig and Commerce
Secretary William Daley, that proposes U.S. membership in the United Nations' 1994
Convention on the Law of the Sea, which sets international standards for the world's
oceans.
``We're the only major player in the world that's not part of that,'' said Jerry
Schubel, president of the New England Aquarium. The report also urged increased research
and monitoring of marine wildlife, a look at the possible establishment of marine
wilderness areas, and new research on ways in which the environmental impact of offshore
oil and gas operations could be reduced.
Gore said a task force of officials from varying federal agencies would work on
strategies for implementing the report's recommendations.
Roger McManus, president of the Washington-based Center for Marine Conservation,
called the plan ``a real attempt to protect oceans like we protect parts of lands.
