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Center for Marine Conservation 



TESTIMONY OF THE CENfTER FOR MARINE CONSERVATION 



Before the 



Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources 



April 20, 1993 



Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to 

 present our views on the reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). 

 My name is Suzanne ludicello; I am counsel for the Center for Marine Conservation. Our 

 statement today is also made on behalf of the Environmental Defense Fund, Friends of the 

 Sea Otter, The Marine Mammal Center, the National Audubon Society, and the Worid 

 Wildlife Fund. 



As you know, the diversity of views on numerous aspects of the MMPA is as varied 

 as the interested communities and constituencies affected by the provisions of this landmark 

 legislation. Our remarks today are limited to the aspects of the law that govern incidental 

 take of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations, because of the September 1993 

 expiration of the Interim Exemption Program. As the reauthorization proceeds and your 

 deliberations become more detailed, we expect you will need to hear individually from a 

 variety of groups representing the full spectrum of views. 

 BACKGROUND 



The Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed by Congress in 1972 to protect 

 maiine mammals of "great international significance. . .aesthetic and recreational as well as 



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