28 July Interior, scientific research permit application, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 



1 August Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the scope of work 



for a research project on entanglement of northern fur seals and concurring with the 

 Service's determination that it would be appropriate to fund the project as part of 

 the Fiscal Year 1988 Marine Entanglement Research Program. 



5 August Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a Norwegian 



proposal to take 30 minke whales as part of a 1988 scientific research project; 

 agreeing with the Service that the documents represent a good effort to explain the 

 rationale for the proposed research program but questioning whether results of the 

 research would contribute useful information for managing the Barents Sea 

 ecosystem; and expressing the view that the proposed studies would not diminish the 

 effectiveness of the International Whaling Commission's conservation program. 



9 August Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the "Status Report 



on Marine Mammals Involved in Commercial Fisheries"; noting that the document 

 adequately assesses the status of marine mammal species and population stocks that 

 interact with commercial fisheries in U.S. waters and provides useful descriptions of 

 research needs, but that descriptions should provide additional information on: (1) 

 the age and sex as well as the number of animals being killed and seriously injured 

 during commercial fishing operations; (2) when, where, and how marine mammals 

 are being killed and seriously injured; and (3) long-term monitoring programs 

 needed to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to prevent or reduce 

 incidental take and injury. 



18 August Interior, scientific research permit application, Chicago Zoological Society. 



18 August Interior, commenting to the Fish and Wildlife Service on a request from the Paul Jensen 



Arctic Museum to kill a walrus for purposes of public display; concluding that such 

 needs should be met, whenever feasible, by animals that die from natural causes or 

 during the course of other authorized activities; recommending that the Service take 

 immediate steps to ensure that the walrus specimen sought by the Museum is 

 provided without sacrificing an animal for that purpose; and requesting that the 

 Service advise the Commission of action taken on this matter. 



23 August Commerce, scientific research permit application, J. Ward Testa. 



2 September Interior, scientific research permit application, Chicago Zoological Society. 



2 September Commerce, scientific research permit application, Southwest Fisheries Center. 



2 September Commerce, public display permit application, Sea Life Park, Inc. 



13 September Commerce, modification of scientific research permit, Sea Life Park, Inc. 



13 September Commerce, recommending to the National Marine Fisheries Service that all existing 

 and pending permits authorizing the capture of false killer whales be modified to 

 include the requirement that no animal less than 3.40 meters in length be taken. 



20 October Commerce, scientific research permit application, Point Reyes Bird Observatory. 



25 October Commerce, public display permit application, Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Bailey 



Circus. 



26 October Office of Management and Budget, commenting on Enrolled Bill H.R. 4189 (a bill to 



amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act), addressing concerns put forth by the 

 Department of Commerce about certain provisions of the bill, and recommending 

 that the President approve the measure. 



8 November Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a petition by the 

 Government of Vanuatu for a finding of comparability with the U.S. tuna/porpoise 

 program; noting that additional information on Vanuatu's enforcement program and 

 other matters was required before a positive finding of comparability could be 

 made; and requesting that the Service advise the Commission of efforts to obtain 

 additional information. 



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