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comprehensive program to assess the status of marine mammal 

 populations and monitor that status into the future. Removals 

 incidental to commercial fishing operations would be monitored 

 carefully, especially in those fisheries that have the most 

 significant impact on populations of marine mammals. The 

 proposed regime also would include mechanisms to protect those 

 stocks with the most need and would seek to reduce mortality and 

 serious injury to marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing 

 operations. 



Thank you Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee for 

 this opportunity to express the views of the Department. I would 

 be pleased to answer any questions you or other Members may have. 



