CHAPTER III 



SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN 



The Marine Mammal Commission, in consultation with its 

 Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals, reviews 

 the status of marine mammal populations and makes recom- 

 mendations on necessary research and management actions as 

 well as on designations with respect to the status of species 

 or populations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the 

 Endangered Species Act. During 1988, the Commission con- 

 tinued to concentrate on several species of marine mammals 

 designated as endangered or threatened, including the West 

 Indian manatee, the West African manatee, the Hawaiian monk 

 seal, the California sea otter, the humpback whale, the right 

 whale, the bowhead whale, and the Gulf of California harbor 

 porpoise. Given the serious condition of several other marine 

 mammal species or populations, the Commission also focused on 

 the North Pacific fur seal, the Steller (northern) sea lion, 

 Hector's dolphins, the five species of river dolphins, and 

 polar bears. A review of the Commission's activities regarding 

 these species and populations follows. 



West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) 



West Indian manatees occur from the southeastern United 

 States to northern Brazil. The species is endangered throughout 

 its range. Remaining populations outside the United States 

 are believed to be small and, in many areas, declining. 

 Because the largest known concentration of animals, numbering 

 at least 1,200 animals, is in Florida, the long-term survival 

 of the species may depend on its continued existence in the 

 southeastern United States. Survival in the United States, 

 however, is in grave doubt. Each year, large numbers of 

 animals die or are killed, and human use and development of 

 waterways and adjacent lands further degrade remaining habitats. 



Since 1984, known manatee mortality in the United States, 

 primarily in Florida, has averaged 127 animals per year. 

 During the five-year period prior to 1984, known manatee 

 mortality averaged 90 animals per year. Most of the recent 

 increase can be attributed to increases in deaths caused by 

 collisions with boats and barges and perinatal deaths (i.e. , 

 the death of newborn or very young animals due to undetermined 

 or uncertain causes) , both of which have nearly doubled in 

 the past 10 years. Between 1979 and 1983, known 

 boat/barge-related manatee mortality averaged 20 animals per 

 year and perinatal deaths averaged 13 animals per year. 

 Between 1984 and 1988, the number of boat kills averaged 37 



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