Chapter III — Species of Special Concer 
have stranded along the eastern U.S and Canadian 
coasts from 1970 through 1989, five animals died due 
to collisions with ships and three from entanglement 
in fishing gear. Based on visible scarring, 11 percent 
of the well-photographed animals in the catalogue (22 
of 196 animals) bear scars, such as propeller slashes, 
indicative of ship collisions. 
Recent radio-tracking and genetic studies also are 
providing valuable new information. The radio- 
tracking studies indicate that rapid, wide-ranging 
movements of individuals may be common. One 
female accompanied by a calf traveled 3,800 km over 
a 43-day period. Genetic work on tissue samples 
from approximately half of the whales in the photo 
catalogue has identified three matrilineal lines within 
the population. Other new information reported by 
participants in the workshop included analyses of 
historic whaling data, trends in the distribution and 
abundance of whales at known habitat areas, trophic 
relationships, and reproductive rates. 
An emerging research capability using airships (or 
blimps) also is improving methods for estimating 
whale abundance, studying whale behavior, and 
identifying the presence of whales in areas of human 
activity. The Commission first provided funds to help 
assess airship capabilities for whale research in 1991 
and provided additional support in 1992. The results 
indicate that airships are useful for obtaining data not 
easily collected from other research platforms (see 
Appendix B, Hain 1992). 
For Fiscal Year 1992 Congress appropriated 
$230,000 to the National Marine Fisheries Service to 
carry forward studies by the right whale research 
consortium. In addition, as noted in Chapter X, the 
Commission provided partial support for a study to 
document and evaluate factors related to an apparent 
unusual absence of right whales and other cetaceans 
from the Great South Channel in 1992. The report of 
the study is expected in 1993. 
As of the end of 1992 no field work was scheduled 
for 1993. Instead, the Service expected to use any 
Fiscal Year 1993 funds as may be appropriated by 
Congress for right whales to analyze and prepare 
reports on the results of recent research. 
51 
Northern Right Whale Recovery Plan 
In 1984 the Marine Mammal Commission recom- 
mended that the National Marine Fisheries Service 
prepare recovery plans under the Endangered Species 
Act for endangered whales occurring in U.S. waters. 
With respect to right whales, the Service responded 
by constituting a Recovery Team for the species in 
1987. At that time, it also began drafting a right 
whale recovery plan. In reviewing an initial draft 
plan in 1988, the team concluded that substantial 
revisions were needed and offered to redraft the plan. 
The Recovery Team’s revised draft plan was circulat- 
ed by the Service for public and agency review early 
in 1990. In circulating the document, the Service 
noted that the plan did not necessarily reflect its 
views; neither did the Service indicate its views as to 
the plan’s contents. 
The Commission, in consultation with its Commit- 
tee of Scientific Advisors, commented to the Service 
on 22 March 1990, noting that the goals, objectives, 
and task statements in the plan were not developed in 
a way that offered clear guidance regarding needed 
action. The Commission therefore recommended that 
the plan be reformatted and suggested a revised 
outline for doing so. In light of comments by the 
Commission and others, the Service agreed that the 
plan should be revised. The Commission offered to 
assist in revising the plan and, by letter of 21 Novem- 
ber 1990, the Commission forwarded a revised draft 
plan and suggested that, in view of the substantial 
revisions, it be circulated for agency and public 
review as the Service’s proposed plan. 
Among other points, the revision identified steps 
necessary to monitor right whale occurrence and 
habitat use patterns in known high-use areas; improve 
the salvage and necropsy program for right whales; 
develop and implement area, seasonal, gear, and other 
fishing restrictions in important right whale habitat; 
establish public awareness programs to advise vessel 
operators of ways to reduce the likelihood of vessel- 
whale collisions in areas where right whales occur 
most frequently; consider vessel speed restrictions in 
areas where right whales occur frequently; designate 
critical habitat for right whales; establish interim 
whale-watching regulations setting forth allowable 
approach distances for right whales; limit approval of 
