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reported to NMFS that his project presents a strong foundation upon which to understand 

 subsequent events. 



AZA and Alliance members make substantial contributions to the rescue, rehabilitation 

 and release of stranded marine mammals. In fact, the accumulated knowledge, collective 

 experience and resources of AZA and Alliance facilities are primary factors in these rescue 

 efforts. 



II. Public Display Facilities Contribute to Their Communities . 



AZA and Alliance members contribute substantially to the communities in which they are 

 located through the thousands of people they employ, the millions of dollars spent on goods and 

 services, the monies paid and generated in taxes, increased tourism, and the additional dollars 

 spent in the community by visitors. 



Alliance members pay over $55 million in various taxes annually. Employment taxes are 

 paid to the Federal government, states, municipalities and counties as well as taxes and fees for 

 water, sewer and utility usage and telephone service. Taxes paid by visitors and collected by 

 these facilities for remittance to the appropriate government entity include those for food at 

 restaurants, sales at gift shops and entertainment taxes on gate receipts. For-profit institutions 

 also pay municipal property taxes and sales taxes. 



In addition, Alliance facilities spend another $250 million yearly on the purchase of 

 goods and services and provide thousands of jobs. Over 12,000 people are employed in full or 

 part-time positions. 



Annually, AZA members make over $440 million in capital improvements to their 

 facilities. More specifically marine parks have invested over $1 .2 billion in their communities 

 through construction, continuing expansion and maintenance of their operations. 



Studies done by individual AZA and Alliance members clearly demonstrate that public 

 display institutions have a significant positive impact on their local communities and states. 

 Based on an economic impact study, the New England Aquarium, for example, estimates total 

 off-site spending by visitors to its facility is more than $289 million. This off-site spending is 

 believed to generate $8.7 million in sales and use taxes. Similarly, Marine World Africa U.S.A. 

 in California estimates it generates an estimated $95-105 million for the local economy annually. 



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