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We have agreed as part of the ground rules of our discussions with the fishing 

 industry that issues under negotiation will remain within the group until we reach agreement 

 Among the issues on the table are many which will seem to you conspicuous by their absence 

 in the following list of concerns, such as quotas or the zero mortality rate goal. We hope to 

 be able to present the group's views on these and many other topics by early summer. There 

 are several general areas, however, that we have advanced in other forums that characterize 

 the basic position of the conservation community with regard to reauthorizing the MMPA. 



• The fundamental protective nature of the statute should be retained. 



Takes of marine mammals should be authorized by a process that holds the proponent 

 of the takin? accountable. The goal of recovering depleted marine mammals to the range of 

 their optimum sustainable population is an integral part of that foundation. Even though OSP 

 determinations have not yet been made for most species, the concept of OSP is a 

 scientifically sound means of management, comparable to the notion of MSY in fisheries. 

 Until we have an equally valid substitute management mechanism, OSP must be retained. 



The incidental take authorization process should provide a level playing 

 field for all takers of marine mammals. 



That is, it should not be more difficult for a marine mammal scientists to get a permit 

 to study a species than it is for a vessel to get a permit to take that species incidental to 

 fishing operations. An equitable process authorizing takes also would account for all sources 

 of takes, and not focus a regulatory regime on only one source. For example, we are 



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