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To receive a permit for scientific research, public display, 

 or enhancing the survival or recovery of a species or stock, the 

 applicant is required to submit extensive information on the 

 status of the marine mammal stock involved, justify the taking in 

 terms of its educational value, scientific merit, etc., and 

 explain in detail how the animal will be cared for. Permit 

 applications are reviewed by the Marine Mammal Commission for 

 consistency with the purposes and policies of the Act. Public 

 hearings on the merit of the permit application can also be 

 held. 



Under the Proposed Regime, applicants for permits for 

 scientific research, public display, and activities to enhance 

 the survival or recovery of marine mammals have to go through 

 this procedure, a procedure not applicable to takings by the 

 commercial fishing industry. Then they will then be forced to 

 get another authorization under the Proposed Regime. Having 

 submitted data on the status of the marine mammal population 

 involved and justified their take as consistent with the purposes 

 and policies of the Act, applicants for permits for scientific 

 research, public display and enhancing the survival or recovery 

 of marine mammals will not be able to use their first permit 

 without then participating in the PBR determinations, the 

 allocation process for the fishing industry and the likely annual 

 litigation. 



When Congress asked NMFS to develop a program to manage 

 marine mammal and fishery interactions, we do not believe 

 Congress intended to interpose yet another obstacle to activities 

 which benefit marine mammal populations directly and 

 indirectly. 



PUBLIC DISPLAY BENEFITS MARINE MAMMALS 



In passing the MMPA in 1972, Congress recognized that public 

 displays of marine mammals, visited by millions of people each 

 year, are essential to carrying out the purposes and policies of 

 the Act. Such displays stimulate public interest in, education 

 about, and support for marine mammal conservation. In the Act's 

 findings. Congress recognized the important role of public 

 display institutions in relation to marine mammals as "resources 

 of great international significance, esthetic and recreational as 



well as economic " 16 U.S.C. 1361(6). Congress intended to 



foster, not inhibit, public display institutions in continuing 

 these beneficial activities with respect to marine mammals. 



