Polar bears lose protection

Regarding the Washington Watch brief ``Less protection for sea mammals,'' March 24: Not only does the new Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) provide less protection for sea mammals, it has opened the door to an ``open season'' on polar bears.

The 1972 MMPA prohibited the import of polar bear (trophy) parts. That has been reversed, and the Alaskan and Russian polar bear populations will suffer as a result.

I believe that the members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Committee feel - and vote - their allegiance to its hunting premise more than they do to the protection of our country's environment and wildlife. Eleanor L. Jones, Cottondale, Ala.

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