105 



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been a general decline in the proportion f stocks 

 that are classified as rebuilding, while he 

 proportion of stocks that are not rebuilding has 

 increased. Furthermore, 29 of the 42 inaicator 

 stocks had lower escapements in 1991 than in 1990 and 

 less than half (16 of 36) of the escapement indicator 

 stocks with goals are currently classifi :d as Above 

 Goal, Rebuilding, or Probably Rebuildine. This is 

 especially significant since most stocks are now more 

 than halfway and the remainder are more than 

 two-thirds through their rebuilding pro rams. Of 

 particular concern are the 15 stocks cl ssifled as 

 Not Rebuilding or Probably Not Rebuildiig. In 1991, 

 the escapements of all of these stocks /ere less than 

 60* of their rebuilding goals and, for seven of these 

 IS stocks, the average escapement durirg the 

 rebuilding period has actually declined from the base 

 period level." 



The United States Government and the Canadian Government have 

 agreed that the Commission shall report to the Governments by 

 January 15, 1994, on the progress it has r ade to achieve the 

 rebuilding program required by the Treaty This Report shall: 



i) Provide definitions needed for tha consideration or 

 evaluation of the rebuilding program including: 

 "rebuilt," "rebuilding," "stock of concern," "depressed 

 stock," "escapement indicator stock," and "pass through." 



ii) Provide a program to monitor and reduce incidental 

 Chinook mortalities on a coast-wide basis. 



iii) Provide a chinook management program that is responsive 

 to the abundance of chinook stocks to ensure that the 

 Treaty's chinook rebuilding goals are met by 1998. 



In accordance with 16 USC 3632(g) ('), I specify that January 

 15, 1994, is the date by which a decision by the U.S. Section 

 concerning the above elements is desirad. It is of course 

 preferable that the Report to be provided by the bilateral 

 Commission contain jointly agreed recc TOnendations of the U.S. and 

 Canadian Sections. If that is not pofsible, however, a clear and 

 comprehensive U.S. Section position oi the above elements 

 expressed in operational terms, which can be preferred in good 

 faith by the United States, is requirad by the above date. 



Sincerely, 



<e^__ a cixji^s 



Elinor G. Constable 



