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recovering the 90 threatened and endangered birds in the United States, and properly manage 

 all of our native avian species to ensure their well-being, and the continuation of their 

 contribution to the quality of life of our citizens. 



THE MIGRATORY BIRD CONTVENTIONS 



The Conventions on Migratory Birds with the United Kingdom (for Canada), Japan, 

 Mexico and what was formerly the Soviet Union, are the backbone for the proper 

 management and conservation of the migratory bird resource. Without this international 

 cooperation, the migratory bird resource could quickly be over-exploited and decline, to the 

 detriment of the citizens of all these countries. The continuation and enforcement of these 

 Conventions, which is implemented in the United States through the Migratory Bird Treaty 

 Act (MBTA), is critical for the well-being of a natural resource, that by the nature of its 

 migratory patterns, is truly an international one. 



The Conventions include provisions listing avian species that may be hunted and the 

 general conditions under which hunting may occur. It is within these described parameters 

 that the Service then determines the appropriate 'frameworks' for the taking of migratory 

 birds each year. NWF has participated in this annual determination of frameworks because 

 we believe there must be a sound scientific basis for properly managed consumptive use of 

 wildlife. 



Modification of the Convention 



On December 14, 1995 the United States and Canada signed a carefully crafted 

 protocol to amend the 1916 Convention Between the United Kingdom and the United States. 

 The intent of the protocol, which must now be approved by the United States Senate and 

 signed by the President in order to be enacted, is to provide indigenous residents of Alaska 

 and northern Canada the opportunity to participate in customary and traditional subsistence 

 hunts throughout the year. Importantly, the protocol for the first time places these hunts 

 within a legal conservation and regulatory scheme. NWF endorses this protocol. In the 

 interest of providing professional and scientific management of migratory birds, as well as an 

 opportunity for indigenous peoples to participate in traditional activities within the scope of 

 the legal framework provided by the Convention and the MBTA, NWF urges the Senate and 

 the President to move forward expeditiously to enact the protocol. 



Clarity of Regulations 



NWF in 1996 approved the resolution "Interpretation of Fish and Wildlife Laws" 

 (copy attached). The resolution "urges federal and state agencies charged with the 

 responsibility for conserving, managing, and protecting fish and wildlife resources to develop 

 clear, concise, easily interpreted and uniformly enforceable fish and wildlife 

 regulations... "(emphasis added). The genesis of this resolution is the fact that "the strong 



