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recognizing the inter-related nature of all resources of the 

 marine environment and the role that marine mammals play in 

 the dynamics of each such ecosystem. As a result, the 

 "primary" Congressional objective of the MMPA has, in many 

 respects, become the MMPA's "forgotten" objective. 



The MMPA makes frequent, although only general, reference 

 to ecosystem protection. The text of the law establishes that 

 Congress intended to make marine ecosystem health and 

 stability its over-arching policy goal, as well as an 

 essential element of MMPA research and management initiatives. 

 For all of this attention to marine ecosystem protection, 

 however, the Act gives little impetus to actions designed to 

 carry out that goal. 



Section 2 of the Act, which recites findings and 

 declarations of policy, contains several references to the 

 importance of protecting the environment of which marine 

 mammals are a part. Section 2(2) provides that "[certain] 

 species and population stocks should not be permitted to 

 diminish beyond the point at which they cease to be a 

 significant functioning element in the ecosystem of which they 

 are a part." 11 Congress also found, in section 2(5) (B) that 

 "marine mammals and marine mammal products . . . affect the 

 balance of marine ecosystems in a manner which is important to 



' id. S 1361(2), 



[196J3-0001/DA94O590 060] -13- 



