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Analysis of Photographs and Other Information Concerning 

 the Identification, Behavior , and Vital Rates of 

 Humpback Whales in Hawaii" 

 (D. A. Glockner-Ferrari and M. J. Ferrari) 



Each winter since 1976, the investigators have conducted 

 detailed observations of humpback whales in the waters 

 off Maui, Hawaii. More than 7,000 surface and underwater 

 photographs of the whales were taken in 1982 and 1983. The 

 Commission provided funds to catalogue and evaluate these 

 photographs and to prepare a report describing the types , 

 objectives, and results of the studies conducted to date. 

 The report, expected to be completed by mid-1984, will be 

 used to help determine what additional research, monitoring, 

 or management programs may be necessary to assure the continued 

 existence and welfare of humpback whales in Hawaii. 



Special Research Concerns for FY 1984 



As noted in this and previous Annual Reports, substantial 

 additional research is needed to effectively define and deal 

 with a number of problems affecting the conservation and 

 protection of marine mammals. Recognizing that greater 

 efforts are needed in specific areas, Congress appropriated 

 the Commission $929,000 in Fiscal Year 1984 and directed 

 that about $300,000 of this be used for research and studies 

 related to: conservation and protection of the California 

 sea otter population; assessment of marine mammal/ fishery 

 interactions; facilitating the return of marine mammal 

 management authority to the State of Alaska and other states; 

 protection of endangered whales; and protection of whales, 

 seals, and other components of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. 



The Commission, after consulting with its Committee of 

 Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals, the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department 

 of State, other appropriate Federal and State agencies, 

 relevant industry and environmental groups, and other informed 

 groups and persons, will apply the funds to those research 

 and management activities determined to be the most essential. 



