190 



habitat and you will protect the animal." 25 In response to a 



later written request for a distinction between "sustainable 



yield" and "optimum yield," the panel which included Dr. Ray 



responded: 



"Optimum" may be defined according to various 

 criteria. The economic view might be the 

 maximum number of the most salable animals that 

 can be taken without causing decline. 

 Biologically, the optimum yield might be less 

 because the wildlife manager felt that some 

 surplus animals were necessary for population 

 or ecosystem health. 26 



A representative of the Department of the Interior also 

 emphasized the need to consider marine mammals as part of a 

 larger dynamic in defining OSP. Joseph P. Linduska, Associate 

 Director of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, 

 stated: "Populations of wild creatures are not and cannot be 

 isolated from other elements of the environment under the 

 assumption that such isolation will insure their continued 

 existence. On the contrary, wild animal populations are 

 living, dynamic entities which act and react with each other 

 and with their environment. . . ," 27 



In the Senate debates, Senator Stevens noted that in 

 defining OSP, "[t]he well-being of the entire ecosystem must 



2S Id. at 416. 

 26 Id. at 438-39. 

 27 Id. at 152. 



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