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VII. SHORT VS. LONG TERM PRODUCTIVITY 



The Antarctic marine ecosystem is rich in renewable 

 resources and is an important potential source of protein 

 In addition, the system is useful for scientific study and 

 other peaceful activities. The ecosystem as a whole is 

 vulnerable to bad management and overexploitation of stocks. 

 Only seals, whales, and some fish populations have yet 

 been harvested extensively. The remaining fish, squid, 

 birds, and krill stocks have large standing stocks which 

 could be easily over harvested by maximizing short term 

 gains and harvesting at standing stock levels rather than 

 at sustainable yield levels. Unregulated harvesting would 

 lead to overexploitation and consequent reduction of yield. 

 The proposed conservation regime and the U.S. position with 

 regard to the negotiations seek to maintain the long term 

 productivity of the ecosystem. Negotiation of a complete 

 conservation regime is the best method of ensuring long 

 term productivity of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. 



