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quest for this dramatic increase in appropriations, we need to 

 put together a program that will including a funding source that 

 is stable. This program must be equitable a,nd assessments should 

 be heaviest on those who have the greatest problem. 



Pursuing a coordinated approach to generate support for 

 additional funding, we hope will at' least result in some increase 

 from current levels. 



FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM CURRENT TAXES AND FEES 



Second, we will take a critical look at current funding sources 

 to see if there is potential from current fees collected to 

 divert some funding from these programs to help pay. for the 

 increased cost of the new program. NMFS estimates that the cost 

 of full implementation of their program would cost $19 million 

 annually. The Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) program is a potential 

 outlet. There seems to be at least a certain percentage ot that 

 funding that goes toward deficit reduction. The administration 

 zeroed the funding for this important program but we will work 

 with the appropriations committee to attempt to get this money 

 restored. We think this program should be looked at for being a 

 cornerstone in developing solutions to reducing the catch of 

 marine mammals. 



A third outlet is to look at the current marine fuels 

 exemption that benefits the commercial fi^shing fleet. If there 



