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6,000 individual members of the American Association of Zoological 

 Parks and Aquariums, and millions of Americans. 



The zoologfical parks and aquariums that make up these organi- 

 zations are an American tradition with widely admired, quality fa- 

 cilities that others throughout the world would strive to emulate. 

 Our mission is education, conservation, and research. 



In 1991, over 115 million people visited AAZPA and Alliance fa- 

 cilities to enjoy a learning experience. No Government or other 

 education program replicates the impact or depth of these edu- 

 cation and conservation activities. Guests, young and old, leave our 

 institutions with a strong and determined interest in assuring that 

 marine mammals are safe and protected in the wild. 



The American people intuitively understand our mission — 86 per- 

 cent agreed in a recent Roper poll that they are more than likely 

 to be committed to environmental conservation after visiting a ma- 

 rine park or a zoo, just as the congressional drafters of the original 

 act intended. 



Millions of children, students, and adults participate in our spe- 

 cialized education prog^'a^ns. Americans respect this educational ex- 

 perience. In the Roper poll 92 percent responded that zoos and 

 aquariums play a significant role in education. 



Wild marine mammals have benefited from the $20 million dedi- 

 cated to research by our members in the past 5 years. Our mem- 

 bers have also spent over $5 million since 1987 rescuing stranded 

 marine mammals. More than 1,500 have been returned to the wild. 



Alliance £md AAZPA facilities make substantial contributions to 

 our local communities through taxes, employment, goods and serv- 

 ices, tourism, and the civic pride that comes from being a home to 

 a zoo, aquarium, or marine life park. 



The act is truly a significant environmental statute. Wide in 

 scope and authority, it should be reauthorized. However, Congress 

 should make minor clarifications to allow the act to better serve its 

 underlying purpose by ending duplicative regulatory demands and 

 avoiding costly and unnecessary court challenges. 



But before proceeding, let me say that regulatory agencies are 

 overburdened. Sometimes their hands are tied. Sometimes lines of 

 authority have been left vague by Congress. Sometimes they are 

 spread thin by court challenges. 



Mr. Chairman, our legislative recommendations are in my writ- 

 ten testimony. A few examples underscore the need for clarifying 

 amendments. The mere offer to transfer a permitted marine mam- 

 mal to an APHIS licensed facility should not require a new permit, 

 nor should still another permit be needed before a counteroffer can 

 be made or before a contract can be signed, and still another before 

 a transfer actually happens. Yet, this is precisely what is now 

 being argued in court. 



Senator Kerry. What is the theory of each of the permit transi- 

 tions? Is it because the transport process has been so inadequate? 



Mr. Prescott. It is not the transport process that is inadequate, 

 it is the interjection of the requirement for a letter of authorization 

 to move an animal after it has been permitted. I believe permits 

 should be issued for the removal of an animal from the wild. 



Senator Kerry. What is the argument that is made to counter 

 your argument? Are they not asserting that the reason they want 



