Identification and Evaluation of On-Going and Planned 
Fisheries in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands 
(SEACO, Honolulu, Hawaii 
Monk seals may be disturbed, harassed, or taken incidentally 
by sport and commercial fishermen and overharvesting of 
certain fish and shellfish populations may reduce the 
habitat's carrying capacity for monk seals. This study was 
undertaken to provide information that could be used to 
determine whether and how on-going and planned fisheries may 
directly or indirectly affect monk seals. A preliminary 
report was provided to the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Team 
in September 1980 and is being used to help determine 
whether and what actions may be needed to assure that fishery 
development does not have a significant adverse effect on 
monk seals and their habitat. The final report is expected 
in early 1981. 
West Indian Manatee 
Because of human-caused mortality, injury, and habitat 
destruction/degradation, the Florida manatee population, 
like other populations of West Indian manatees, is in danger 
of extinction. For these reasons, the Commission, in 
recent years, has recommended that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service take a variety of steps to protect and encourage 
recovery of the species (see previous Annual Reports). 
In FY 1980, the Commission received a $100,000 Congressional 
appropriation to facilitate the development of an effective 
research and management program to benefit the West Indian 
manatee. Following extensive governmental and non-governmental 
consultations, (see the 1979 Annual Report), the Commission 
decided to use the appropriation to: (1) make an appropriately 
qualified individual available to the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to facilitate problem identification and coordination 
of research, management, and education activities being 
undertaken by various Federal, State, and private organizations; 
(2) support a pilot program to develop site-specific research/management 
plans for areas of special significance to the manatee; (3) 
initiate a study to assess and characterize the feeding 
habits, food preferences, and feeding areas of manatees in 
Florida; (4) help strengthen manatee enforcement programs in 
Florida through additional training of law enforcement 
officers; (5) intensify the Florida Department of Natural 
Resources' public information and education programs; and 
(6) facilitate the development of a manatee advisory group 
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