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that may be sustainable over the long term has been esti- 

 mated at 10,000 tons. In 1977 and 1978, U.S. and Canadian 

 harvests from this area totaled over 17,500 tons. In the 

 absence of a fishery agreement limiting total harvests, 

 both sides are free to attempt to outfish each other in 

 this area. Although either may thus gain a temporary 

 advantage over the other, catches at 1977 and 1978 levels, 

 if sustained, ultimately will reduce stock abundance. Over 

 time, each side could find itself competing for a larger 

 slice of a smaller pie to a point, perhaps, where fishing 

 becomes uneconomical. 



In contrast to this open-ended situation and its 

 potential for severe economic dislocation among those 

 dependent on the fisheries, the proposed action will 

 enable both countries to achieve a measure of stability for 

 their fishing communities. Investments in fishing and pro- 

 cessing are thus likely to be protected and encouraged. 



A final example of these risks to the environment in 

 the absence of an effective fishery agreement is that of 

 haddock. In 1964, recent trends in the fishery indicated 

 that the haddock resource included strong year-classes, 

 that stock abundance was rising, and that prospects for the 

 future were relatively good. In this situation in 1965 and 

 1966, the Soviet Union greatly increased fishing pressure 

 on haddock and captured a major share of the landings. 



