On 16 January 1980, the Service answered that: representatives 
of the Service had met with representatives of the hydrofoil 
company, advised them of the Service's concerns, and discussed 
possible steps for protecting the whales; the Service had 
not decided whether Federal involvement would be sufficient 
to warrant either "Section 7" consultations or the preparation 
of an environmental impact statement; if necessary, the 
Service's "Notification of Interpretation of 'Taking by 
Harassment' in Regard to Humpback Whales in the Hawaiian 
Islands Area" could be modified to prevent or mitigate 
adverse impacts from hydrofoils; the Service's 1980 humpback 
whale research program would be focused in Alaska; studies 
on distribution and behavior of humpback whales in Hawaii 
would be conducted by others; and the Service planned to 
continue its management program and to assist the Office of 
Coastal Zone Management in evaluating the proposed marine 
sanctuary for humpback whales in Hawaii. 
With respect to the sanctuary question, the Office of 
Coastal Zone Management convened a group of experts on 12-14 
December 1979 to consider and report on a proposal for a 
Marine sanctuary for humpback whales in Hawaiian waters. 
The report, forwarded for review and comment in September 
1980, recommended the establishment of a sanctuary to foster the 
development of educational programs and scientific research 
on humpback whales and to stimulate national and international 
efforts to conserve humpback whales. The report further 
suggested establishing one or more advisory groups to identify 
measures needed to protect the whales and their habitat, and 
recommended development of a recovery plan for humpback 
whales throughout the North Pacific. 
The Commission, in consultation with its Committee of 
Scientific Advisors, commented on the "Report of the Hawaiian 
Humpback Whale Sanctuary Workshop Committee" on 3 December 
1980. While the Commission agreed with the general objectives 
of the sanctuary proposal, it was unable to determine from 
the information provided exactly how a sanctuary would 
better serve these objectives than might actions under 
existing authorities. The Commission therefore recommended 
that the Office of Coastal Zone Management further evaluate 
the proposed actions, administrative arrangements, resource 
commitments, and benefits that would result from the sanctuary 
in light of those available under existing authorities. As 
examples, the Commission noted that the National Marine 
Fisheries Service had established a "Notice of Interpretation 
of 'Taking by Harassment' in Regard to Humpback Whales in 
the Hawaiian Islands Area" and that the Service was supporting 
relevant research, enforcement, and public education efforts. 
The Commission also recommended that the Office of Coastal 
Zone Management consult with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service while doing the analysis. 
See 
