119 



Solutions 



Our West Coast fisheries entities (state, commercial, recreational, tribal, and sport charter) arc 

 not so naive to expect an immediate leap toward treatment of marine mammals similar to other 

 wildlife. However, we do look for a sign from Congress — one which acknowledges that the 

 two decades of protection along the West Coast have gone a long way to restore marine mammal 

 populations, and which recognizes that the growing conflicts between coastal people and manne 

 mammals need legislative attention. 



We suggest the following: 



► Provide incentives for the states of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska to 

 accept a role in research and management of marine mammals by further 

 streamlining and relaxing the provisions of Section 109. 



»• Acknowledge that nothing in the Act is intended to abrogate or diminish existing 

 Native treaty rights. Tnbes of Washington, for example, are entitled to and wish 

 to co-manage mammals with NMFS and the state. 



*■ Allow, without permits, citizen deterrence of mammals (chasing a deer away from 

 a picnic table is not harassing the animal and the same principle should apply to 

 marine mammals for tourists, dock owners, sport fishermen, ferry workers, etc.) 



► Allow government officials the right to lethally remove nuisance animals that 

 severely impact other valuable natural resources. 



*■ Allow commercial fishermen to take from "depleted" stocks and to protect their 

 gear and catch via any means from mammal stocks that are not threatened or 

 endangered. 



► Focus fiscal resources on stocks of mammals that appear likely to slip towards 

 listing under ESA. 



»• Acknowledge an ecosystem management program which gives equal and balanced 

 consideration to all components of the ecosystem including fishery resources, 

 marine mammals populations and the socio-economic factors affecting this system. 



Conclusion 



The fishery interests of the West Coast face the unique situation of burgeoning marine mammal 

 populations which increasingly interact with man. We all know about the ongoing "negotiations" 

 between the fishing community and the environmental community. Please tell us today that you 

 want us to address the real issues of the next decade, which include not only the "hot spots" of 

 declining populations but also the excesses of abundant populations. Tell us you wish to see a 

 progressive compromise which begins to acknowledge the success of two decades of protection, 

 but at the same time will lead to a sustainable ecosystem managed for both the aesthetics of 

 marine mammals and man's interaction with the sea. 



