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In order to avoid such conflicts, NOAA must be proactive rather 

 than reactive to each new crisis. We are fortunate because NOAA 

 has assembled the largest known information database on 

 populations of protected species, and has developed a stranding 

 network, and a tissue bank program. 



This new proactive position is already evident in our handling of 

 sea turtles. We have expanded recovery efforts beyond the 

 Southeast to include the mid-Atlantic and Pacific Basin areas. 

 We have entered into agreements with Georgia, South Carolina and 

 New York to protect sea turtles and we are in the process of 

 negotiating agreements with Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, 

 and Virginia. 



We are now conducting several status reviews per year as well as 

 population assessments for other marine mammals stocks. We are 

 moving aggressively to establish recovery plans, develop 

 conservation plans, and convene workshops which bring all the 

 affected parties together before a crisis occurs. For example, 

 we are planning a workshop to develop a site-specific monitoring 

 program to document marine mammal takes in Arctic oil and gas 

 exploration operations. 



The Strategic Plan proposes a four-point program to restore and 

 maintain protected species: 



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