organizations might be used to expedite acquisition of 

 needed data. Preliminary assessments and a comprehensive 

 program plan are expected to be completed by spring 19 8 3 and 

 will be reviewed by the Commission, in consultation with its 

 Committee of Scientific Advisors, to determine whether 

 additional measures may be needed to resolve the problem. 



On-site Assessment of Potential Sea Otter Translocation 

 Sites in Washington, Oregon, and California 

 (Fish and Wildlife Service) 



The Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan recommends that at 

 least one colony of southern sea otters be established 

 outside the current range in California to assure that all 

 or a substantial portion of the population cannot be affected 

 simultaneously by an oil spill or similar catastrophic event 

 in or near the population's current range. To assist in 

 determining and evaluating sites where additional colonies 

 might be established, the Fish and Wildlife Service, acting 

 on a Commission recommendation, contracted with a consulting 

 firm to compile and map readily available biological, ecological, 

 and socio-economic information relevant to the selection and 

 evaluation of potential translocation sites (see page 9 in 

 the Annual Report for Calendar Year 1981) . While it was 

 possible for the contractor to tentatively identify a number 

 of possible sites based on a careful examination of available 

 data, published reports, and other sources, the Commission 

 considered it important that the contractor also be able to 

 verify these findings with benefit of on-site examinations 

 as the project nears completion. Therefore, the Commission 

 provided supplemental funding for on-site examination of 

 those areas identified as potential translocation sites. 

 Insight and data obtained during these site visits will be 

 incorporated into the final project report which will be 

 finished early in 1983. 



Computer Entry of Farallon Islands Elephant Seal Data 

 (National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Center) 



Northern elephant seals, California sea lions, and harbor 

 seals have recently reestablished breeding populations on 

 the Farallon Islands. This offers a unique opportunity 

 to determine how populations interact and reestablish themselves 

 after depletion and may provide valuable insight into the 

 demography and dynamics of pinniped populations in general. 



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