research, much of which was applicable to several of the 
Commission's recommendations. The Service indicated that 
most of the useful results of the scientific research efforts 
should be available for review prior to the expiration of 
the proposed four-year extension of the Convention and also 
provided brief summaries of some relevant socio-economic 
studies, the status of efforts to prepare an environmental 
impact statement on development of a harbor at one of the 
Pribilof Islands, and on the international implications of 
alternative arrangements, based largely upon the discussion 
in the DEIS. 
Although several of the Commission's recommendations 
were not addressed in the Service's letter of 4 November and 
no schedule for the conduct and completion of the studies 
and analyses was provided, the Commission determined that 
before responding to that letter, it would be desirable to 
discuss and attempt to resolve those issues during the 
course of consultations at a meeting on the Service's northern 
fur seal scientific program which was held on 17-18 December 
1980 in Seattle, Washington. Those discussion did not, 
however, resolve several issues relating to the Commission's 
recommendations and the Commission will transmit additional 
comments and recommendations to the Service in early 1981. 
During the course of the correspondence described 
above, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement in September 1980 and a 
Protocol amending the Convention by extending it for four 
years and recognizing extended fisheries jurisdictions was 
signed by the United States and other parties on 14 October 
1980. The Protocol, which will enter into force upon ratification 
by the parties, was transmitted to the Senate by the President 
on 12 November 1980 for consideration. 
