Indian manatee and other species of marine mammals. The 

 type and extent of required protection may vary according to 

 the nature, size, and location of the areas requiring 

 protection, as may the most appropriate mechanism for 

 achieving the required protection. This contractor is 

 assisting the Commission's Committee of Scientific Advisors 

 in its examination of critical habitat areas by providing 

 advice on available mechanisms for protecting areas of 

 special biological importance to manatees. The contractor's 

 analyses will be incorporated into the Committee of Scientific 

 Advisors' report to the Commission on actions which it feels 

 should be taken to protect important manatee habitat. 



Special Research Concerns for Fiscal Year 1983 



The Hawaiian monk seal and the southern, or California, 

 sea otter have been designated as "endangered" and "threatened," 

 respectively, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. 

 Although the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish 

 and Wildlife Service, the agencies with lead responsibility 

 for these species, have taken steps to develop and implement 

 recovery plans, progress has not been as rapid as expected. 

 Recognizing that greater efforts were needed and needed 

 promptly. Congress increased the Commission's budget request 

 from $594,000 to $822,000 for FY 1983 and directed that the 

 bulk of the increase be spent on the Hawaiian monk seal and 

 the southern sea otter. The money became available to the 

 Commission at the end of 1982. 



Following consultations with the National Marine Fisheries 

 Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the States of Hawaii 

 and California, relevant industry and environmental groups, 

 and its Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals, 

 the Commission will apply the funds to specific research and 

 management activities determined to be the most essential 

 for protecting and encouraging recovery of these species. 



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