147 



Poll, nearly nine in ten Americans feel that medically treating 

 injured animals and returning them to the wild is very important, 

 and are supportive of Alliance and AAZPA members in these 

 efforts. 



In 1972, Congress recognized the contributions made by the 

 public display community in educating the public about marine 

 mammals and about the need to conserve these animals and their 

 environment. Congress also recognized the scientific research 

 accomplishments of the public display community. Twenty-one 

 years later, public display facilities have amassed an even more 

 impressive record of accomplishment. 



CHANGES ARE NEEDED TO THE PROPOSED REGIME 



In considering differences in the number of takings for 

 public display (four in the last three years), the 

 accomplishments of the public display community in educating the 

 public to conducting important research, and the takings 

 incidental to commercial fishing operations which often result in 

 the death and serious injury of marine mammals. We believe that 

 the small number of takings for public display should be excluded 

 from the new and cumbersome regulatory program for commercial 

 fishing. If public display takings are to be included, public 

 display takes should be given a priority. 



