In 1988, porpoise mortality incidental to U.S. tuna fishing 

 operations again approached the overall guota of 20,500 with an 

 estimated mortality of 19,712. The mortality of eastern spinner 

 dolphins remained high and, during the final week of 1988, the 

 incidental mortality guota for this stock was exceeded. 



The 1988 Fishing Season 



The National Marine Fisheries Service issued final 

 regulations on 31 October 1980 establishing an annual allowable 

 take (guota) of 20,500 animals for each of the five years, 

 1981-1985. On 7 December 1980, a general permit to take 

 porpoise in compliance with the final regulations and the 

 guota was issued to the American Tunaboat Association. By 

 means of the 1984 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act, Congress extended indefinitely the annual guota, as well 

 as the regulations and the general permit, and added guotas 

 for eastern spinner and coastal spotted dolphins. Estimates 

 of the annual incidental kill of porpoise by the U.S. and 

 foreign tuna purse seine fleets since passage of the Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act are listed in the following table. 



Estimated Incidental Kill of Porpoise in the 



Figures do not include possible deaths of seriously injured 

 porpoise released alive. 



Preliminary estimate. 



149 



