Analysis of Elephant Seal Tag-Res iqhtinq Data from the Farallon 

 Islands 



(H.R. Huber, Visiting Scientist, National Marine Mammal Labora- 

 tory, Seattle, Washington) 



Tagging and observation studies of elephant seals on the 

 Farallon Islands off central California have been conducted 

 since 1974. The tag-resighting data have not been fully analyz- 

 ed and, in 1986, the Commission provided funds for analysis 

 to determine if there were any apparent changes in the juvenile 

 survival rates between 1974 and 1986. If the survival rates 

 varied or declined substantially, they may indicate an inverse 

 correlation with increasing population size (a density-dependent 

 response) and/or correlation with environmental variables (a 

 density-independent response) . In 1987, the Commission provided 

 funds for additional analysis, including assessment of the 

 possible effect of the El Nino event in 1982-1983 on the sur- 

 vival and emigration of immature elephant seals. The contract 

 report will be reviewed by the Commission, in consultation 

 with its Committee of Scientific Advisors, to determine whether 

 additional analysis, monitoring, or management actions may be 

 necessary to ascertain and maintain the optimum sustainable 

 northern elephant seal population. 



Assessment of Information and Programs Concerning the Incidental 

 Take of Sea Otters. Harbor Porpoise, and Other Marine Mammals 

 in California Coastal Waters 

 (B. Heneman, Bolinas, California) 



The coastal waters of California are inhabited by at 

 least 34 species of marine mammals, several of which have been 

 or are being affected by fisheries and other human activities. 

 In 1984, the Commission provided funds to review and evaluate 

 research and management programs bearing on these species 

 conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service, and others. In 1987, the Commission provided 

 additional funds to: review and advise the Commission on 

 actions that have been taken or are being considered by the 

 California Department of Fish and Game, the California State 

 Legislature, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and other 

 organizations to ban or limit the use of set nets in California 

 waters; assess what effect these actions may have on fisheries 

 development and on marine mammals including sea otters, harbor 

 porpoise, gray whales, and harbor seals; describe steps that 

 could or should be taken by the Commission to assure that 

 actions being taken or contemplated by other Federal agencies 

 or State agencies do not adversely affect marine mammals and 

 identify steps that could or should be taken by the Commission 

 to facilitate adoption and implementation of the Sea Otter Tran- 

 slocation Plan. Information and recommendations provided by 

 the contractor have been used by the Commission, in consul- 



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