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could be a dedicated fund that would ensure that the money does 

 not go for deficit reduction, we might support a repeal of this 

 exemption. With the proper funding mechanism, there would be at 

 least some acceptance within the industry for this action. 



THE LICENSING OPTION 



A fourth source is to look at the registration system for the 

 commercial fishing fleet. In the interest of getting the 

 industry to pay something for the privilege of catching a public 

 resource the licensing system offers a mechanism for placing the 

 burden on those sectors of the fishing fleet where the problem is 

 greatest. The licensing structure should be structured so the 

 greatest fees are exacted from those sectors of the fishing 

 industry where the interaction problem is greatest. Acceptance 

 of this system would set the foundation for an incentive system 

 that would involve rebates of the fee for improved performance in 

 the form of reduction of marine mammal takes. There should also 

 be lower fees for those who offer to be the test boats for the 

 new gears that are developed. In a particular fishery where 

 there is known to be a frequent or significant interaction 

 problem, there would be a mandatory higher fee assessed on all 

 who refused to take available observers necessary to monitor 

 performance. 



69-350 0-93-4 



