the 1989 season and must be no more than 1.25 times the U.S. rate 

 during the 1990 and subsequent seasons. 



Limitations were also placed on the take of coastal spotted 

 and eastern spinner dolphins. Beginning in 1989, eastern spinner 

 dolphins may not account for more than 15 percent of a nation's 

 total incidental take and coastal spotted dolphins may not exceed 

 2 percent of the nation's total take. Harvesting nations are 

 also required to comply with all reasonable requests from the 

 United States to cooperate in conducting its porpoise stock 

 assessment and monitoring program. 



The amendments also place restrictions on third-party 

 nations seeking to export yellowfin tuna to the United States. 

 An intermediary nation must certify and provide reasonable proof 

 that it has acted to prohibit the importation of tuna from any 

 country banned from directly exporting tuna to the United States. 

 Intermediary nations have 60 days following the imposition of a 

 U.S. import ban to implement a similar prohibition on tuna 

 imports from the embargoed harvesting nation. Failure by the 

 intermediary nation to adopt a parallel import ban within six 

 months of U.S. action will prompt certification under the Pelly 

 Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act and may result in 

 restrictions on imports of all or some fish products from the 

 intermediary nation. 



In addition, the Secretary was directed to contract with the 

 National Academy of Sciences for an independent review of 

 possible alternative tuna fishing methods that do not involve the 

 incidental take of marine mammals. This review was to have been 

 completed by 8 September 1989 and the results submitted to 

 Congress by 5 December 1989, along with the Service's proposed 

 plan for research, development, and implementation of the iden- 

 tified alternatives. As discussed in Chapter VII, this study is 

 now expected to be completed by 8 September 1990. 



Implementation of these amendments is discussed, and other 

 information with respect to the tuna-porpoise program is 

 provided, in Chapter VII. 



Research. Display, and Enhancement Permits 



The provisions governing scientific research and public 

 display permits were amended in 1988, and a new permit category 

 was created allowing the Services to authorize activities 

 designed to enhance the survival or recovery of marine mammal 

 populations. Also, under the amendments, marine mammals that 

 were pregnant at the time of taking, nursing at the time of 

 taking, or less than eight months old may now be imported for 

 public display if it is determined that such importation is 

 necessary for the protection or welfare of the animal. 



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