138 



4. NMFS observers during 1986 through 1988 reported two 

 mammal interactions out of 1,273 observed sets while aboard 

 tuna longline vessels in U.S. waters. 



5. Canadian observers from 1978 through 1992 reported very 

 few marine mammals taken in more than 4,000 sets while 

 aboard foreign tuna vessels in Canadian waters. 



This information suggests that relatively few interactions 

 are occurring. Indeed, our experience, which is confirmed by 

 government observor data, suggests that an individual longliner 

 might fish for several years without harming a single mammal. 



We were surprised by the NMFS reports that longliners are a 

 major problem. When we first learned of their conclusions, we 

 immediately asked the NMFS to verify their data and asked that 

 they cross check their mammal information with their fishery 

 information. We also asked for an opportunity to review this 

 information ourselves. We intend to pursue this effort. 



3. We Need To Find Solutions To Real Problems. 



Blue Water is committed to conserving the fish stocks upon 

 which we depend. We also do not want to endanger any population 

 of marine animal, nor cause a population to be in serious 

 decline. Our members believe that the number of mammals 

 physically harmed by Atlantic longline vessels each year is very 

 small and relatively insignificant. 



Fishermen try to avoid taking marine mammals because 

 releasing entangled animals is a difficult and sometimes 

 dangerous job. Certainly these encounters are unintended, and 

 those that do occur appear to us to be random. Nevertheless, a 

 careful analysis of verified data which is collected and assessed 

 on a fishery-by-fishery basis (rather than only by gear type) , 



