76 



Senator GrORTON. This is a most interesting hearing, and there 

 are some very real clashes here, clashes between those who have 

 come to this agreement and those who disagree with it. 



The peculiar problems that we have in tne State of Washington 

 and in Seattle with hershal and hershal's progeny and the impact 

 they are having on the causing of the listing of other marine spe- 

 cies, though not mammal species, each of which is going to have 

 to be considered in connection with this reauthorization. 



I think it is a most important hearing, and a vitally important 

 subject. 



Senator Kerry. Thank you very much, Senator. 



Senator Stevens. Mr. Chairman, I failed to ask to put Senator 

 Cohen's statement in record following mine. 



Senator Kerry. Without objection his statement will be placed in 

 the record. 



[The prepared statement of Senator Cohen follows:] 



Prepared Statement of Senator Cohen 



Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your calling this hearing to explore issues regarding 

 the reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 



It has been 20 years since marine mammals were offered the special protection 

 they properly deserve. Once again, the Congress is faced with the unenviable task 

 of updating this legislation to oetter fit the inevitable changes associated with the 

 management of the oceans and their inhabitants. 



Representing a coastal state, my interest in the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

 stems from two factors: First, my constituents know first hand the grandeur and 

 the beauty of the many marine manrunals which frequent the shores of Maine, and 

 they have a vested interest in their protection. Second, my state supports a thriving 

 commercial fishing industry which must coexist with these mantunals and the regu- 

 lations that protect them. I am therefore doubly interested in this reauthorization. 



In November of last year, the National Marine Fishery Service put forth its "Pro- 

 posed Regime to Govern Interactions Between Marine Mammals and Commercial 

 Fishing Operations." While this proposal provided innovative measures, it was criti- 

 cized both by commercial fishing groups and the environmental community for dif- 

 ferent reasons. 



As efforts to manage the ocean and its resources have proved many times, the 

 best solutions are those which were formulated from the bottom up. Regulatory 

 schemes which are created without meaningful input from those who nave a vested 

 interest in our oceans often fail because they lack the integral support of those must 

 live within these guidelines, fortunately two groups have come together to offer 

 their own bottom up proposal for this reauthorization. 



AU too often commercial fishing groups and environmental groups are seen as foes 

 locked in mortal combat, each representing a radically different viewpoint. It is my 

 experience, however, that when these two groups sit down and discuss conservation 

 issues, they quickly learn that they have more in common than not. These groups 

 share an interest in the preservation of our oceans as a fertile habitat for all marine 

 life, and whUe they often disagree on the means to achieve that end, if they main- 

 tain focused on their objective, a negotiated solution often follows. 



Fortunately, recent events demonstrate once again that the environmental com- 

 munity and commercial fisherman can work together to formulate meaningfijl and 

 effective policy recommendations. Throughout this past spring, representatives from 

 both environmental and commercial fishing groups have been meeting with the ob- 

 jective of crafting a workable reauthorization of tne Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

 And while there were serious disagreements along the way, this coalition has man- 

 aged to put together a proposal upon which a significant majority of the participants 

 could agree. 



This negotiated solution is not without its fiaws or its detractors, but I believe 

 that this proposal provides a realistic and workable solution that should be the 

 foundation upon which this committee will build a successful reauthorization, while 

 we aire far from finished, with this proposal we are well on are way. I offer my con- 

 gratulations and my thanks to this group for their efforts. 



I again want to thank the chairman Tor initiating this hearing. I look forward to 

 working with the Committee throughout this reauthorization process. 



