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VI. PROPOSED MMPA AMENDMENT 



To address these problems, prompt action is required to 

 identify the most critical uncertainties and research needs. 

 Because so little is known about the ecology and biological 

 relationships of large marine ecosystems and how to take 

 account of this uncertainty in management and protection 

 programs, it is necessary to begin with a thorough, 

 comprehensive review of the scope and magnitude of the problem 

 and how it might be overcome. This is the approach 

 recommended in this proposal. In the case of the Bering Sea, 

 where widespread population declines have been documented, a 

 more aggressive approach is required to build upon existing 

 data and knowledge and, as soon as possible, undertake 

 meaningful ecosystem-based resource management and marine 

 mammal and seabird protection programs. In the past, 

 undertaking such effort has been frustrated because several 

 different agencies with conflicting objectives and 

 responsibilities were involved. To circumvent these problems, 

 a Congressional mandate to pursue these initiatives through an 

 independent, objective review body is required. 



The approach called for in this proposal is intended to 

 identify and prevent ecosystem-wide injury before it reaches a 

 crisis stage. As a case in point, the recently released 

 Report of the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team 

 addressing the ecological, economic and social issues arising 



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