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stock and the ecosystem of which it is a part. Thus, the 

 conservation plans were to include: "(1) an assessment of the 

 status of the species or stock and its essential habitat; (2) 

 a description of the nature, magnitude, and causes of any 

 population declines or loss of essential habitat; (3) an 

 assessment of existing and possible threats to the species and 

 its habitat," among other things. 37 Similarly, the legislative 

 history on the section of the Act granting the Secretaries the 

 power to grant permits to take marine mammals recognized that 

 such permits were more likely to be necessary along the coast 

 of Alaska given the large numbers of marine mammals there and 

 directed the Secretaries to "work closely with the State of 

 Alaska and affected user groups, especially Alaskan Natives, 

 to develop effective conservation programs for marine mammals. 

 These could include assessments of populations and their 

 fluctuations, essential habitat, threats to species and 

 habitat, and research and management needs." 38 



In many cases, concern for protecting the health of the 

 ecosystems that include marine mammals took the form of 

 statements regarding the impacts of pollution, witnesses and 

 Members commented on the need for future study and noted that 



37 S. Rep. No. 592, 100th Cong., 2d Seas. 24 (1988). 

 38 H.R. Rep. No. 970, 100th Cong., 2d Seas. 28 (1988). 



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