MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION — Annual Report for 1992 
21 October 
21 October 
22 October 
22 October 
22 October 
22 October 
23 October 
23 October 
28 October 
30 October 
4 November 
11 November 
Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the results of past meetings of the 
Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Team; noting that the Commission has received no information on the 
results of the February 1992 meeting; and requesting that the Service send the Commission (1) the 
minutes or any other report resulting from the meeting; (2) recommendations provided to the Service 
by the Team since the meeting; and (3) a description of the Service’s follow-up actions to those 
recommendations. 
Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the rehabilitation and movement 
of Hawaiian monk seals from French Frigate Shoals to Midway Island; and requesting information on 
(1) the results of monk seal prey analyses; (2) plans to radio-tag seals; (3) information from a 
December 1992 workshop concerning changes in the marine ecosystem of the Hawaiian Islands; and 
(4) copies of any updated analyses or plans to be reviewed at the next Recovery Team meeting. 
Agriculture, commenting to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on allegations concerning 
the mistreatment of animals at a center for treating stranded marine mammals; and recommending that 
the Service (1) have an experienced marine mammal trainer/behaviorist accompany its veterinarian 
while investigating the center; (2) consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service to ensure that 
appropriate steps are taken to identify and correct any inhumane or inappropriate practices; (3) in 
consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, compare survivorship rates of stranded 
dolphins brought to other area facilities; and (4) if the facility’s record is substantially worse, inform 
the Commission of proposed actions to address the issue. 
Commerce, modification of scientific research permit, Alaska Fisheries Science Center. 
Commerce, scientific research permit, Bruce L. Homer. 
Commerce, scientific research permit, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution. 
Commerce, modification of scientific research permit, National Marine Mammal Laboratory. 
Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on necropsy reports regarding 
captive marine mammals that died during Hurricane Andrew; and recommending that the Service 
assess factors contributing to their deaths and, as possible, ensure precautions are taken to prevent 
similar deaths in the future. 
Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a petition pending since 1990 to 
designate critical habitat for right whales; noting that more than two years have passed since the 
Service received the petition; further noting that the Commission provided a report on the petitioned 
action to the Service early in 1991; recommending that the Service establish specific time limits for 
responding to petitions; and requesting the Service advise the Commission as to (1) what has been 
done to review and respond to the petition; (2) why the Service has failed to adopt the Commission’s 
previous recommendation to proceed with the designation process; (3) whether the Service still plans 
to designate critical habitat and, if not, why not; (4) what steps and schedule will be followed if the 
Service plans to designate critical habitat; and (5) what steps have been taking to analyze data to 
determine if other areas adjacent to petitioned areas also merit critical habitat designation. 
Commerce, modification of scientific research permit, J. Ward Testa. 
Commerce, modification of scientific research permit, National Marine Mammal Laboratory. 
Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the Northern Fur Seal Conserva- 
tion Plan; and recommending that (1) the management section be expanded to describe the principles, 
objectives, and approaches that have existed under the past and present management authorities; (2) 
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