as is now being undertaken or planned in Brazil, Nepal, and 

 China, pose potentially serious threats to the continued 

 survival of several of these species. Although none of the 

 five river dolphin species is currently listed as threatened 

 or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the 

 baiji, Ganges susu, and Indus susu are listed on Appendix I 

 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered 

 Species of Fauna and Flora, and the boutu and franciscana 

 dolphins are listed on the Convention's Appendix II. 



In view of potential threats to the species, the 

 Commission provided funds during 1986 to help convene an 

 international Workshop on the Biology and Conservation of the 

 Platanistoid Dolphins, which was held October 26-November 6, 

 1986, in Wuhan, China, The Workshop report and recom- 

 mendations are expected to become available early in 1987. 

 However, a preliminary report has suggested that, among other 

 things, international regional working committees should be 

 established to review problems facing river dolphins in the 

 Indian subcontinent and South America and to promote regional 

 planning. 



On 2 3 December 1986, the Commission wrote to the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service recommending that the 

 Service: (a) consider establishing a small working group to 

 evaluate species of river dolphins in light of the five 

 criteria for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act; 

 (b) evaluate all available information, including the results 

 of the Workshop to be published early in 1987 and the 

 findings of any working group, and take such steps as may be 

 appropriate to list the separate species of river dolphins as 

 threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act; 

 and (3) encourage and assist other nations in efforts to 

 protect declining river dolphin populations and habitats 

 critical to their survival. 



During 1987, the Commission expects to review the final 

 report of the Wuhan Workshop and to work with the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service and others to identify and, as 

 possible, assist in implementing measures to protect river 

 dolphins. In this regard, the newly appointed Director of 

 the Service had, by year's end, advised the Commission of his 

 intention to have status reviews done with a view to possible 

 listing under the Endangered Species Act. 



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