in 1984 and, to facilitate the determinations, 



the Southwest Fisheries Center has initiated 



or plans to initiate a number of studies 



that will contribute information on which 



the stock assessment will be based. To assist in 



reviewing the reports of completed studies, the 



Center is planning to organize and convene three panels 



of experts to review the reports and provide advice 



on proper use of the findings; 



(4) The Center has terminated its gear research 

 program and, at present, has no plans to 

 conduct gear or other research aimed at reducing 

 porpoise mortality or seeking an alternative to the 

 practice of setting on porpoise; and 



(5) Nearly 50 percent of the tuna currently being 

 caught is being taken by foreign-flag vessels; the 

 Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission's observer 

 program is providing some data from foreign fleets 

 (eight observed trips in both 1979 and 1980, four 

 in 1981, and six up to that time in 1982) but the 

 greatest percentage of the foreign-flag vessels 

 are from Mexico, which is not a participant in the 

 lATTC observer program. Consequently, there is an 

 inadequate basis for reliably estimating the species' 

 composition or numbers of porpoise being killed or 

 injured by foreign-flag purse seiners. 



Porpoises may avoid research and fishing vessels and, 

 as a result, go undetected in the course of shipboard census 

 efforts. Such avoidance could result in underestimation of 

 population size. This possibility had been raised as an 

 issue during hearings held in 1979 and, to assure that 

 related questions can be addressed during forthcoming 

 hearings, the Commission recommended, by letter of 

 8 September 1982, that the Service conduct school avoidance 

 studies in February and March 1983. The Service concurred 

 with the Commission's recommendation and, by letter of 

 30 September 1982, advised the Commission that it was 

 considering a number of ways whereby funding and other 

 uncertainties could be resolved. Subsequently, the Center 

 consulted with the Commission concerning the terms of 

 reference, membership, and scheduling for the panels being 

 constituted to help prepare for the 1984 status of stocks 

 review. 



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