budget that provides for support of the Hawaiian monk seal program at a level 

 sufficient to allow an organized and rational approach to all issues. 



15 December Commerce, scientific research permit application, Elizabeth A. Mathews and Daniel 

 J. McSweeney. 



20 December Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the apparent 



decline of the Steller sea lion population and recommending that the Service act 

 immediately on a petition for an emergency listing as endangered under the 

 Endangered Species Act, and draft and distribute a conservation plan for the Steller 

 sea lion by March 1990. 



21 December Commerce, scientific research permit application, James B. Atkinson. 



21 December Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on its proposal to 



designate the coastal migratory stock of bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. 

 mid-Atlantic coast as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act; 

 suggesting that further studies be done to determine the relationship between 

 nearshore and offshore stocks of bottlenose dolphins and the present size and 

 productivity of the nearshore stock; and recommending that the Service develop a 

 conservation plan for the stock before taking final action on the proposed depletion 

 designation. 



22 December Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the Fiscal Year 



1990 Marine Entanglement Research Program Plan and recommending that the 

 Service proceed with implementing the Plan. 



28 December Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on plans to develop 

 alternative quota recommendations for live capture and removals of bottlenose 

 dolphins from the wild, and recommending, among other things, that a workshop be 

 convened to discuss the theoretical merits and practical value of the two percent 

 rule for both bottlenose dolphins and other small cetaceans commonly taken in 

 live-capture operations. 



28 December Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a review of the 

 tuna-porpoise review meeting and recommending, among other things, that the 

 Service: advise the Commission of steps taken since 1984 to advise foreign 

 governments and fishing fleets of the "comparability" requirements established by 

 the 1984 and 1988 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act; work with 

 the Department of State to encourage the Inter- American Tropical Tuna 

 Commission to revise its objectives in light of the requirements of the Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act and to advise other fishing nations of the U.S. objectives 

 with regard to incidental take of porpoises and other marine mammals; and expand 

 the proposed performance standards to indicate how vessel operator performance 

 will be evaluated and the sanctions that would be imposed against vessel owners 

 who repeatedly fail to meet performance standards. 



214 



