77 



adequate protecaon to marine mammals consistent with its longstanding goals objectives and 

 requirements. The fishing industry is concerned that if specific quous tor manne mammal 

 takes are set, fisheries could be shut down once the quota is reached. The agency is trying to 

 devise a program that is targeted on problem areas and aimed at acquiring more and better 

 information about interactions. 



Recognizing the full legislative plate this session, it is still critical that the MMPA be 

 reauthorized before the end of 1993. Unlike most reauthorizations, where the authorizing date 

 may come and go without much effect, the expiration of the program created in Section 114 

 of the MMPA will bring back the problematic status quo prior to 1988. The Interim 

 Exemption expires at the end of October, and without it. the taking prohibitions of the 

 MMPA will kick in again, making it impossible for commercial fishing operations to proceed 

 without illegal takes of marine mammals. The conservation community is firm that it will not 

 stand by for a simple reauihonzauon that continues the exemption. We are, however, 

 committed to finding a mechanism, consistent with sound principles of wildlife management 

 and consistent witii the MMPA, that would provide a scientific rationale and basis for 

 determining the number of marine mammals that may be taken incidentally in the absence of 

 an OSP determination. 



KEY CONCERNS FOR THE 1993 REAUTHORIZATION 



14 



