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Rep. Hamburgh, Page 4 September 8, 1993 



contract with the Maine Department Of Marine Resources for this 

 purpose. This individual or organization could be employed to 

 monitor day-to-day interactions, in addition to removing pinnipeds 

 identified as habitually exhibiting predatory behavior, should a 

 task force make this recommendation and that recommendation is 

 approved by the Secretary. 



8) whether there are any circumstances under which intentional 

 lethal takes of pinnipeds should be allowedT 



As Btated above, there is no scientific evidence to show that 

 the intentional lethal removal of a limited number of pinnipeds 

 from robust seal stocks should be prohibited. Existing law allows 

 for intentional lethal takes of certain marine mammals to protect 

 against damage to gear and catch without even considering the 

 Impact on the stock Involved. 



We ask the Committee to adopt a permitting system that will 

 ensure that a stock is not negatively impacted but will allow fish 

 farmers to cause individual predators to be removed in order to 

 protect themselves from significant economic harm. Our long-term 

 goal is to utilize nonlethal means of deterrence if the appropriate 

 technologies can be developed. Today, however, all available 

 nonlethal means of deterrence are being employed without solving 

 the problem. Regulated, intentional lethal takes remain a short- 

 term need. We believe that this need is sufficient to authorize 

 their continued use. 



Attachments : 



* Draft amendment to Section 7 of H.R. 2760 



* Letter to Dr. Nancy Foster, July 14, 1993 



