Scientific Advisors, responded to the Service's request. 

 Among other things, the Commission repeated its conclusion 

 that available data clearly indicate that essential feeding 

 activity occurs out to and beyond the 20-fathom isobath and 

 that the waters between 10 and 20 fathoms, as well as waters 

 less than 10 fathoms, should be considered critical for survival 

 and recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal. 



With respect to possible special management needs beyond 

 the 10-fathom isobath, the Commission noted that: (a) waters 

 beyond 10 fathoms are subject to commercial bottomfish and 

 lobster fishing and interactions between these fisheries and 

 monk seals are known to occur; (b) special efforts are needed 

 within essential feeding areas, including waters between 10 

 and 20 fathoms, to avoid loss and encourage recovery of fishing 

 gear and other debris that might entangle seals; (c) increasing 

 ship traffic associated with expanding fisheries, potential 

 offshore mining, and other activities poses risks of vessel 

 groundings and spills of cargo and fuel; (d) proposals for 

 deep seabed mining off the Northwest Hawaiian Islands could 

 pose threats to seals by disrupting behavior patterns, altering 

 habitat essential for prey species, or introducing contaminants 

 that might affect seals or their prey; and (e) the 20-fathom 

 isobath more clearly delineates the shelf break around the 

 islands and therefore represents a more readily recognizable 

 boundary that would facilitate compliance with existing and 

 future conservation measures. The Commission repeated its 

 recommendation that areas out to the 20-fathom contour around 

 the Northwest Hawaiian islands and Maro Reef be designated as 

 critical habitat for Hawaiian monk seals. 



At the end of 1987, the Service was considering comments 

 by the Commission and others on the matter, and it was the 

 Commission's understanding that, early in 1988, the Service 

 planned to formally propose extending designated critical 

 habitat for monk seals out to the 20-fathom isobath and adding 

 Maro Reef. 



Scientific Research Permits 



During 1987, the Commission reviewed and commented on 

 two research permit applications involving work on Hawaiian 

 monk seals. The first application requested authority to attach 

 depth of dive recorders and radio transmitters on up to 80 

 seals at French Frigate Shoals to identify foraging areas and 

 habitat use patterns. The second requested authority to mark 

 and observe female seals and pups at the same atoll, for a 

 period of three years, to improve information on nursing 

 behavior and pup rearing strategies. During the review of 

 both applications, questions were raised by the Commission 

 and its Committee of Scientific Advisors as to whether the 

 practical benefits of the proposed activities justified the 



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