siderably lower than that for 1986 and there was no need to 

 prohibit setting on porpoise as was required in 1986. The 

 mortality of eastern spinner dolphins, however, was unusually 

 high and necessitated close monitoring to ensure that the 

 allowable level of take of 2,750 would not be exceeded. 



The 1987 Fishing Season 



The National Marine Fisheries Service issued final 

 regulations on 31 October 1980 establishing an annual allowable 

 take (quota) of 20,500 animals for each of the five years, 

 1981-1985. On 7 December 1980, a general permit to take 

 porpoise in compliance with the final regulations and the 

 quota was issued to the American Tunaboat Association. By 

 means of the 1984 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act, Congress extended indefinitely the annual quota, as well 

 as the regulations and the general permit, and added quotas 

 for eastern spinner and coastal spotted dolphins. Estimates 

 of the annual incidental take of porpoise by the U.S. tuna 

 purse seine fleet since passage of the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act are listed in the following table. 



Estimated Incidental Take of Porpoise in the 



*Preliminary estimate 



As noted above, in 1986, the U.S. tuna fleet reached the 

 allowable take level of 20,500 and was required to cease 



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