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Pacific Marine Fisheries Conmission's 1976 Resolution 10, with notes of 

 subsequent implementing actions. This Resolution was adopted unanimously 

 by the five compact States of Alaska, California, Idaho. Oregon, and Washington 

 November 18, 1976. 



10. Amvnd fhtt Marine Mommal Pratcclion Act of 1972 



WHEREAS, the Manno Mammal Proteciion Act of 1972 

 was anacied because of Congressional concern for marine mam- 

 mals: and 



WHEREAS. It was noi Congressional inieni ihat implemen- 

 laiion of ihe Act should unnecessarily impede rational manage- 

 ment of marine resources by the States: and 



WHEREAS, proteaion i 

 Act has caused a redistributic 

 of other resources; and 



WHEREAS, adequate biologic, sociologic. and economic 

 data do not exist to properly evaluate the ertect of implementation 

 of the Marine Mammal Prelection Act upon fishery resources: 

 and 



al Manne Fisheries Serv.ce is inter- 

 nearly total protection for marine 



! all marine mamma 

 1 of some species to t 



WHEREAS, the NatK 



mammal species 



WHEREAS. 



extended to cov( 



and 



mterpreta 

 ic biologic 



any 



npon 



thu 



of the Act has been 

 ecologic research on 

 naking it diHicult for 

 3ies required lor im- 



sponsible agencies to conduct the studi 

 proved management of the affected ecosystems; 



NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, thai the Pacific Marine 

 Fisheries Commission strongly reaffirms us recommendations m 

 1975 Resolution 11 that the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

 be amended lo redefine terms and definitions to permit an 

 ecosystem approach to marine resource management and to 

 return management responsibilities to the States wher« request- 

 ed as quickly as possible; and 



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Act be revised and 

 interpreted lo encourage the States and other competent research 

 entities to conduct biologic, ecologic. and economic studies to 

 evaluate the impacts ol the Act upon the ecosystems aHected 

 and upon the conservation and utilization of the loiai resources 

 o( those ecosystems: and 



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Congress appropriate 

 adequate funds to contract for these studies through the appro- 

 priate management body. 



Adopted unanimously by the five Compact States 



Action This Resolution was the third adopted during the 

 past threa years by PMFC on the Manne Mamma/ Protection 

 Act of 1972 (MMPA) The 1974 Resolution. No 4. supported 

 a 2year extension of a moratorium to allow the incidental taking 

 manne mammafs during commercial fishing. It also urged 

 jeal of MMPA and cooperation with coastal States m protect- 

 •ng manne mamais through provisions of the Endangerea Species 

 Act of 1973. The 1 975 Resolution. No. M. urged amendment 

 of MMPA to encourage the return of management responsibilities 

 to tne Slates, and to revise definitions so state and federal 

 agencies may manage all animals in the marine ecosystem. 



In soliciting actions m support of these Resolutions. PMfC 

 stressed the logic of managing ecosystems on a scientific basis 

 rather than totally protecting selected predators (manne mam- 

 mals} while intensively harvesting their prey (fish and shellfish) 

 Representatives of PMFC on December 2. 1 976 participated 

 in a National Fishenes Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. 

 The Conference endorsed the following Policy Statement: 



"The Manne Mammal Protection Act of 1972 as pres- 

 ently written, and as has been interpreted by the court, 

 presents great difficulty and concern to tne United States 

 fisheries. The policy and principle upon which the Act is 

 based appear to be in conflict with the sound policies of 

 resource management and maintenance of the health and 

 stability of the marine ecosystem which were recognised 

 by Congress m the enactment of the Fishery Conservation 

 and Management Act of 1976. 



"The National Fisheries Policy Conference sees the 

 possibility of growing conflict between manne mammals, 

 fishery stocks, and man. with the ecosystem and. therefore, 

 suggests that a sound, comprehensive resource manage- 

 ment program must exist which gives eoual and balanced 

 consideration to all components of the ecosystem including 

 fishery resources, marine mammal populations, and the 

 socio-economic factors affecting this system The increasing 

 food requirements of the human population necessitate an 

 enhanced use of the ocean as a source of protem for man 

 and. thus, substantiate the need to manage the enure eco- 

 system tn a rational and efficient manner. 



"Participants of the National Fisheries Policy Confer- 

 ence endorse the need for amendatory legislation to bring 

 the concept of conservation, development and utiliution 

 of fishery resources wuhm the framework of the objectives 

 of the Manne M.immjl Protection Act Efforts to this end 

 have the support of the Conference. " 



Based upon this policy statement the Fishery Affairs Office 

 of the National Canners Association along with other repre- 

 sentatives of the fishing industry m 1977 began drafting alterna- 

 tive approaches to amendment of the MMPA PMFC maintains 

 an active liaison with that Office on this project. 



The MMPA was a matter of considerable concern to Pacific 

 Coast participants m the Eastland Fisheries Surveys. In summary 

 the participants said Congress should amend MMPA to allow 

 rational management of marine mammal populations as integral 

 segments of the marine ecosystem to make possible, where 

 necessary, ttie prevention of overpopulation of marina mammals 

 with resultant deleterious effects on economically important 

 species upon which they feed. 



