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STATEMENT OF MOLLIS BEATTIE, DIRECTOR, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE 

 SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE HOUSE MERCHANT 

 MARINE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND 

 NATURAL RESOURCES, CONCERNING REAUTHORIZATION OF THE MARINE MAMMAL 

 PROTECTION ACT 



February 10, 1994 



Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act. In addition to an overview of the 

 activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, my statement 

 provides information on the status of marine mammals under our 

 jurisdiction and proposals we are considering for amending the Act. 



FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE INVOLVEMENT 

 The Act establishes a Federal responsibility for the conservation 

 of marine mammals. Under the Act, the Secretary of the Interior, 

 through the Service, is responsible for protecting and managing 

 polar bears, sea and marine otters, walruses, manatees, and dugong. 



In general, the Act established a moratorium on the taking and 

 importation of marine mammals, but contains procedures for waiving 

 the moratorium under certain circumstances. The taking of marine 

 mammals by Alaska Natives for subsistence or for creating and 

 selling authentic Native handicrafts and clothing is exempted from 

 the moratorium, as long as it is accomplished in a non-wasteful 

 manner . 



The Act establishes a procedure for transferring to the States the 

 authority to manage marine mammals. The Act also authorizes the 



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