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providing the technical expertise to implement those 

 recommendations . 



Taken as a whole, we believe that application of NOAA-wide 

 capabilities to address these seven points will lead to the 

 restoration of a thriving domestic commercial and recreational 

 fishing industry. 



RECOVER PROTECTED SPECIES 



Under the program, NCAA will promote the full recovery of 

 depleted species and the maintenance of healthy marine 

 ecosystems. Thirty marine species are listed under the 

 Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered and two 

 species of marine mammals — the northern fur seal and Atlantic 

 bottlenose dolphin — are categorized as depleted under the 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act. 



There are 214 salmon runs considered at risk due to commercial 

 exploitation and habitat degradation. There are continual 

 conflicts between the need to implement effective recovery 

 actions and legitimate commercial concerns. The development of a 

 recovery plan for listed Snake River salmon brought into sharp 

 focus the conflicting views of the hydroelectric industry, barge 

 operators, farmers, fishermen, and conservationists. 



