As in 1987, one of the most perplexing problems encountered 

 in 1988 was the continuing die-off of bottlenose dolphins 

 along the Atlantic coast of the United States. By the end of 

 the year, about 750 dead animals had been recovered and 

 extensive examinations had been made of specimen material at 

 laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. At 

 year's end, various aspects of the investigation were being 

 concluded. A summary of activities undertaken in 1988 and 

 underway at the end of the year is provided in Chapter IV. 



The Marine Mammal Protection Act mandates the Marine 

 Mammal Commission's substantive involvement in international 

 activities affecting marine mammals and their habitats. Most 

 species and populations with which the Commission is concerned 

 are wide-ranging and their conservation requires cooperative 

 international efforts. While some issues of international 

 concern are discussed in Chapter III, Species of Special Con- 

 cern, those involving formal international agreements are 

 reviewed in Chapter V. 



Since its inception, the Marine Mammal Commission has 

 been deeply involved in issues that could affect marine mammals 

 in the Antarctic. It has advised the Department of State and 

 other Federal agencies on efforts to develop and implement 

 international agreements for the conservation of seals and 

 other marine species and to govern possible exploration for 

 and development of non-living resources in the Antarctic. 

 Also, Commission representatives have participated as members 

 of U.S. delegations to most Antarctic meetings during the past 

 ten years. 



Since the Marine Mammal Commission became operational in 

 1974, its representatives have participated in activities of 

 the International Whaling Commission and its Scientific Commit- 

 tee. As discussed in Chapter V, activities of particular 

 importance this past year were efforts by certain countries to 

 conduct whaling for scientific purposes in an apparent attempt 

 to circumvent the moratorium on commercial whaling which began 

 in 1986. 



Other international issues of particular concern discussed 

 in Chapter V involve development of U.S. policy and research 

 programs regarding the Arctic, negotiation of a Protocol on 

 Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife in the Wider Caribbean 

 Region, and activities related to the Convention on Inter- 

 national Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 



As noted in past Commission Reports, it is becoming 

 increasingly clear that lost and discarded fishing gear and 

 other persistent marine debris pose a significant threat to 

 marine mammals and other wildlife. Since the beginning of 

 this decade, the Marine Mammal Commission has called attention 



