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The final marine mammal issue involved Portugal's 

 proposal to export sperm whale oil under the "pre-Convention 

 exemption" which was discussed in the Commission's previous 

 Annual Report. Although Portugal's proposal was not 

 considered at the meeting, the Parties did adopt a resolution 

 concerning the availability and interpretation of the 

 pre-Convention exemption generally which was substantially 

 consistent with the U.S. position. As a result of that 

 resolution, it would appear that only some of the sperm 

 whale oil which Portugal had proposed to export could be 

 lawfully exported under the pre-Convention exemption. In 

 addition, it appears that the trade restrictions under both 

 CITES and IWC have served to greatly limit or eliminate the 

 market for such oil and that Portugal's sperm whaling in 

 the Azores will therefore be discontinued. 



The Commission will continue to consult with the Fish 

 and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, 

 and others during 1984 concerning these and other matters 

 relating to the Convention on International Trade in 

 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 



