206 



and management need to be pursued vigorously. Conventional 

 approaches are not working. The Magnuson Act reauthorization 

 must take into account the reality of the inter-relationships 

 among the species and the ecosystem which those species live 

 in." 60 Accordingly, he recommended that the Magnuson Act be 

 amended "to ensure that the health of the ecosystem as a whole 

 will allow a sustained biological diversity and thereby 

 healthy communities and a healthy sustainable industry." 61 



IV. DECLINE OF TEE BERING SEA ECOSYSTEM 



Over the last 20 years, the Bering Sea ecosystem has 

 undergone significant reductions in a number of its component 

 species. During this time period, populations of Northern fur 

 seals, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and four species of 

 fish-eating seabirds, (thick billed-murres, common murres, 

 black-legged kittiwakes, and red-legged kittiwakes) have all 

 experienced substantial, unexplained declines in their number, 

 indicative of an ecosystem-wide injury. Several important 

 Beringian waterfowl species, including Pacific brant geese, 

 emperor geese, spectacled eider and Steller' s eider have also 

 undergone population declines that are not fully understood. 



60 Hearina on Reauthorization of Magnuson Fisheries Conservation and 

 Management Act before the Senate Subcommittee on Merchant Mari ne. Senate 

 Committee on Commerce. Science and Transportation . June 30, 1993 (testimony 

 of J. Anthony Smith). 



[19653-0001/DA940590.060] -36- 



