202 



different bureaucracies are not coordinating or 

 synthesizing data on the species related in 

 food webs in the Bering Sea. Apparently this 

 is systemic and not atypical of many scientific 

 research programs. 50 



Speaking specifically to the problem of fur seal, sea 

 lion, and seabird population declines in the Bering Sea, Mr. 

 Merculieff noted the link between these species and their 

 reliance on pollock as a part of the food web upon which they 

 were dependent was noted. The testimony called for the 

 establishment of a research program that would study the 

 marine ecosystem as whole. 51 This view also drew support from 

 the environmental community, 52 but no action was taken. 



The importance of ecosystem-based research, management 

 and protection initiatives also has been addressed under the 

 Magnuson Act. Like the MMPA, the Magnuson Act includes a 

 statutory requirement directed at marine ecosystem concerns. 

 The Magnuson Act seeks to subject fisheries to "sound 

 management . . . so as to provide optimum yields on a 

 continuing basis." 53 The term "optimum" is defined as "the 

 amount of fish . . . which is prescribed . . .on the basis of 



50 Id. at 251. 



S^ Id. at 211 (statement of David R. Cline, National Audobon Society) , 

 256 (statement of E. V. Curtis Bohlen, World Wildlife Fund). 



53 16 O.S.C S 1801(a)(5). 



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