awareness and involvement. Among other efforts, the Commission 

 has: supported an analysis of domestic and international 

 authorities related to the problem of marine debris; funded 

 studies to document and clean up debris on beaches; provided 

 relevant background information for a global study of the 

 problem by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organiza- 

 tion; brought the problem of marine debris to the attention 

 of parties to the Convention on Conservation of Antarctic 

 Marine Living Resources for responsive action (see also Chapter 

 V) ; encouraged the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission 

 to develop a manual on procedures for monitoring marine debris; 

 and provided information on the issue to scientists and govern- 

 ment officials in New Zealand and Australia. 



Domestic Activities in 1987 



During 1987, the Commission continued to work closely with 

 other Federal agencies to strengthen the effectiveness of 

 domestic programs in addressing problems created by marine 

 debris. Particular attention was devoted towards implementing 

 the Marine Entanglement Research Program of the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service, assisting the National Marine Pollution 

 Program Office in updating the Federal Ocean Pollution Research, 

 Development, and Monitoring Plan; and working with the White 

 House Domestic Policy Council in efforts to assess and strength- 

 en the response of Federal agencies to the marine debris 

 problem. 



The U.S. Marine Entanglement Research Program 



For Fiscal Years 1985 and 1986, Congress appropriated 

 $1,000,000 and $750,000, respectively, to the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service to develop and undertake a Marine Entanglement 

 Research Program to improve understanding of and resolve 

 problems created by marine debris. In appropriating those 

 funds, Congress also directed that the Service consult with the 

 Commission on efforts to develop a plan for allocating monies 

 among priority research and management needs. The steps 

 taken by the Service and the Commission to develop this program 

 are described in the Commission's previous Annual Reports. 

 For each of Fiscal Years 1987 and 1988, Congress appropriated 

 $750,000 in additional funding to the Service to carry the 

 program forward and it again directed that allocation of 

 these funds be made in consultation with, and with the concur- 

 rence of, the Marine Mammal Commission. 



As noted in the previous Annual Report, the Commission 

 participated in a planning meeting held by the Service on 24- 

 25 September 1986 in Seattle, Washington, to begin identifying 

 tasks to be undertaken as part of its Fiscal Year 1987 Entangle- 

 ment Research Program. Based on results of that meeting, the 



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