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X. CONCLUSIONS 



A total ban on harvesting of all Antarctic living 

 resources could not be negotiated or enforced. Therefore, 

 assuming that commercial harvesting in Antarctic waters 

 will increase in the future, the United States seeks to 

 minimize the adverse environmental impacts of such har- 

 vesting through negotiation of a conservation regime. The 

 proposed federal action provides for the establishment of 

 a complete conservation regime now, before vested economic 

 interests in Antarctic resources are established. A con- 

 servation regime will be most effective in minimizing 

 adverse impacts if management can begin before any stocks 

 have been overexploited. The regime should include pro- 

 visions for determining and enforcing conservation measures 

 Establishment of a conservation regime is the best means 

 of ensuring the long term productivity of the renewable 

 resources in the Antarctic marine ecosystem. 



