There is another aspect of the predation issue that is just as not-talked about. Te predators have to eat those fish. They can't go to Total Paycheck and buy a farmed fish. Or tofu. While the overall impact or predation needs to be understood there is only one predator that can survive just fine without the fish. And he won't share.

To me, you begin with a vision of what the whole system looks like, what is present, and in what abundances. A PUBLIC discussion of how many whales, seals, dolphins, and whatever else. Build the pyramid and figure what to do then.

Don't push (society) for the MMPA and ESA without understanding the end result of implementation including land-use, fishing down the food chain, and the myriad of other impacts.