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B . Environmental Consequences of Alternatives to the 

 Proposed Action 



1 . Uo Agreement 



Two categories of consetjuences can be anticipated if 

 the aqreeir.ent is not implenented and not other action 

 is taken to conclude a fishery agreement with Canada. 

 First, the specific benefits to the United States that will 

 accrue from the proposed action would be lost. Second, 

 current risks to the environment v^ould continue and 

 potentially increase.' 



Specific benefits to the United States under the 

 proposed action that would be lost under this alternative 

 are numerous. In the absence of a fishery agreement, the 

 United States and Canada would have no formal mechanism or 

 procedure to coordinate conservation goals and management 

 policies for shared resources. These goals and policies 

 currently differ in several areas. For example, Canada 

 favors commercial uses for the transboundary mackerel 

 stock. In contrast, U.S. management plans for mackerel 

 emphasize enhancement of the U.S. recreational fishery. 



