MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT

Congress failed to reauthorize the MMPA last year, and it appears that legislative action to update the Act is still uncertain this year! My latest information is that there may be a west coast hearing by the House Resources Committee sometime after June on the issue of Robust Populations of Marine Mammals. If that hearing is set I will absolutely get word to all interested, as well as to the W.O.N. and LET'S TALK HOOK-UP! Stay tuned to this web site for more information! Until then, the information below needs to get to members of Congress, so don't stop the letters and emails!!

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August 1, 2000 Update

TO ALL SAC MEMBERS AND FRIENDS -
ACTION ALERT TO ALL WHO LOVE SPORTFISHING!!

The enclosed white paper should be read and understood, and then action taken!! Everyone who loves sportfishing in California and who knows the problems that exploding sea lion populations have brought on our sport needs to write letters, make phone calls, send e-mails and/or faxes, etc. Each message should be in the person's or group's own words. The message should be consistent with the theme represented in the white paper. Specifically, that Congress must address the robust species issue in this reauthorization cycle! In early 1999 PSMFC-NMFS released a report to Congress that provides the appropriate road map for Congressional action.

Enclosed you will find a list of Senators and Representatives that need to be contacted. Please take action and copy SAC with your letters, faxes, or e-mails (SAC e-mail is dart@sacemup.org).

SAC will keep you posted as to when the west coast field hearings on the issue will be held, and where.

Sincerely, Bob Fletcher, President

The MMPA Reauthorization
and Exploding West Coast Marine Mammal Populations:

A Time for Sound Wildlife Management Principles

West Coast populations of California sea lions and Pacific Harbor seals are increasing at an alarming rate. The current populations of both species are reported to be larger than at any other time in the past several centuries. These exploding populations are causing a number of serious problems including endangering public health . and safety, destroying business opportunities, and preventing the recovery of endangered fish populations. Congress will be addressing the problems resulting from exploding West Coast marine mammal populations during the 2001 reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) hearings.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released an official report on February 1999 titled "Impacts of California Sea Lions and Pacific Harbor Seals on Salmonids and West Coast Ecosystems". The report explains the problems these large mammal populations are having on living marine resources.

Specifically, the NMFS report indicates these uncontrolled mammal populations are: (1) negatively impacting human health, safety, and property use; (2) negatively impacting recreational and commercial fishing businesses by consuming bait, depredating hooked fish, increasing the rate of mortality on fish populations, destroying fishing gear, and ruining the charter fishing experience; and (3) negatively impacting several West Coast threatened and endangered populations of salmon and steelhead trout.

The NMFS report contains sound recommendations, which should be actively supported by Congress. These include: (1) implementation of site specific management in cases where mammals are preying on depleted salmonid populations; (2) removal of impediments and agency support for testing nonlethal deterrent technologies; and (3) selectively reinstate authority for the intentional lethal taking to protect fishing gear and catch.

Members of Congress should recognize the serious problems stemming from exploding West Coast marine mammal populations are real and the impacts significant. The 1999 MMPA reauthorization provides an excellent opportunity to take the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of U.S. citizens, secure the viability of coastal businesses, and protect endangered fish species by managing marine mammal populations using sound wildlife management principles.

ROBUST SPECIES TARGET LIST CALIFORNIA

Senate

Barbara Boxer
112 Hart SOB 2nd & C Sts., NE
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3553 202-228-1338/f
E-mail: senator@boxer.senate.gov

Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart SOB 2nd & C Sts., NE
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3841 202-228-3954/f
E-mail: senator@feinstein.senate.gov

House

Randy Cunningham
2238 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol ST. SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5452 202-225-2558/f E-mail: www.house.gov\cunningham

Sam Farr
1221 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SE
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-2861 202-225-679l/f E-mafl: samfarr@mail.house.gov

Steven T. Kuykendall
512 Cannon HOB I st St. & Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-8220 202-225-7119/f
E-mail: www.house.gov\kuykendall

Gary G. Miller
1037 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SW
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-3201 202-226-6962/f
E-mail: publicca4l@ mail.house.gov

Ron Packard
2372 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St, SW
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-3906 202-225-0134/f
E-mail: rep.packard@mail.house.gov

Richard Pombo
2411 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol SL. SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-1947 202-226-0861/f
E-mail: rpombo@,mail.house.gov

Bob Filner
2463 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol., SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-8045 202-225-9073/f
E-mail: talktobobfilner@mail.house.gov

Elton Gallegly
2427 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St., SW
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-5811 202-225-1 100/f
E-mail: www.house.gov\gallegly

Brad Sherman
1524 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SE
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5911 202-225-5879/f
E-mail: brad.sherman@mail.house.gov

Mike Thompson
415 Cannon HOB I st St. & Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-3311 202-225-4335/f
E-mail: m.thompson@mail.house.gov

Lynn Woolsey
439 Cannon HOB I st St. & Independence Ave., SE
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-5161 202-225-5163/F
E-mail: lynn.woolsey@mail.house.gov