to protect and promote recovery of endangered and threatened 

 species. As discussed in previous Annual Reports, the 

 Commission recommended in 1984 and again in 1986 that the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service prepare recovery plans for 

 humpback whales and other endangered cetacean species that 

 occur in U.S. waters. On 15 July 1987, the Service invited 

 scientists and resource managers with broad knowledge of 

 humpback whales and associated management problems to serve 

 as members of the Humpback Whale Recovery Team. A repre- 

 sentative of the Marine Mammal Commission was named to the 

 Recovery Team. During its Annual Meeting on 10-12 December 

 1987, the Marine Mammal Commission was advised by the Service 

 that a draft Plan was nearing completion; that it would address 

 populations of humpback whales off both the east and west 

 coasts of the United States; and that it would be provided to 

 the Recovery Team early in 1988 for review and comment. 



As noted in previous Annual Reports, in 1985 the Commission 

 contracted for a study to compile and evaluate information 

 related to conservation and protection of humpback whales in 

 Hawaii. The report from the study was completed in 1988. It 

 noted, among other things, that the increasing level of human 

 activities in Hawaiian waters could have both short-term and 

 long-term effects on humpback whales. It identified steps 

 that should be taken to better document, monitor, and prevent 

 or mitigate the possible adverse effects of increasing human 

 activities. On 13 April 1988, the Commission made copies of 

 the report available to the National Marine Fisheries Service 

 for distribution to members of the Recovery Team. In its 

 accompanying letter, the Commission noted that the report 

 should be useful in preparing the Humpback Whale Recovery 

 Plan. 



During 1988, the National Marine Fisheries Service prepared 

 and circulated a draft Recovery Plan to members of the Recovery 

 Team for their comments. At the end of 1988, it was not 

 clear when a draft Plan would be made available for agency 

 and public review. It was expected that the Service would 

 advise the Commission of its schedule for completing and 

 implementing recovery plans for humpback whales, right whales, 

 and other endangered species during the Commission's Annual 

 Meeting scheduled for February 1989. 



Interactions between Humpback Whales and Vessel Traffic 



A matter of general concern regarding humpback whales 

 and certain other endangered whales in U.S. waters (e.g., 

 right and gray whales) is disturbance by whale-watching boats 

 and other vessels. The problem has been a matter of particular 

 concern in Hawaiian waters and in waters off southeast Alaska, 

 New England, and California. 



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