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toward the z«ro aortal ity rata goal at tha and of four 

 yaara. If he/ aha flnda at that time that insufficient 

 progress has been made toward reaching that goal at tha and 

 of 10 years, then he/she would be charged with instituting 

 regulations which would effect immediate reductions in all 

 non-compliant fisheries. This would provide the needed 

 interim evaluation of tha program and would provide 

 inoentive for voluntarily reducing take. 



We would also like to emphasize our concern that marine 

 mammal mortality is likely to continue, and be difficult to 

 control, as certain fish stocks decline and fishers turn to 

 less discriminating techniques to maximize their success in 

 catching target fish species (eg. gillnets, drift nets and 

 pair trawling) . By their very design, many of these 

 techniques will ensnare any animal which encounters the 

 gear, including non-target marine mammals, turtles and 

 birds. We would urge tills Committee to work to provide 

 interface between the Magnuson Fisheries Conservation Act 

 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act as well as the 

 Endangered Species Act. Marine mammals and endangered 

 species can only be protected from incidental take if the 

 gear and technology which is used is designed to minimize 

 interaction potential, and fisheries practices are managed 

 and permitted in consideration of impacts of fisheries on 

 other animals in the ecosystem. 



The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 was motivated 

 by public desire to intercede in the plight of marine 

 mammals. At that time commercial whaling aroused public 

 concern. The deaths of young seals at the hands of 

 commercial interests aroused great aversion. The tremendous 

 loss of life of small cetaceans in the nets of the tuna 

 fishery, aroused outrage. Since 1972 a number of these 

 concerns have been addressed. However some of them still 

 echo in issues that we face today. How is wide-spread 

 public affection for charismatic pinnipeds to be balanced 

 against protection of commercial fishing interests? How is 

 the loss of life of marine mammals incidental to commercial 

 fisheries to be reduced in a manner that preserves the 

 stocks of marine mammals and yet allows a way of life for 

 many people to continue? 



This legislation has mads a laudable attempt to deal 

 with these pressing issues. We strongly urge Congress to 

 consider our concerns and re-authorize a strong Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act in keeping with the spirit of the 

 original Act and the wishes of the American people. 



I would like to thank you once again, for the 

 opportunity to address this committee with our comments and 

 concerns. We would like to offer any assistance to you as 

 you work to re-authorize this important environmental 

 legislation. 



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