establishment of take reduction teams composed of scientists, representatives of the affected 

 fisheries, and other interest groups to advise the National Marine Fisheries Service on the 

 development of take reduction plans for strategic stocks. A strategic stock is one listed as 

 endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, designated as depleted under the 

 Marine Maimnal Protection Act, or for which human-caused mortality and serious injury exceed 

 the potential biological removal level calculated for the stock. Based on the recommendations 

 of the take reduction teams, the Service completes and implements take-reduction plans designed 

 to reduce the levels of take to below the potential biological removal levels within a certain 

 period. 



The deaths of large numbers of dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean was one 

 of the issues that played a key role in enactment of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972. 

 At that time, about 500,000 dolphins were being killed annually in the tuna purse seine fishery. 

 Since that tune, annual mortality has declined considerably and, although a final estimate for 

 1998 is not yet available, it is expected to be about 1,900 dolphins, a record low number. In 

 1997, the Marine Mammal Protection Act was amended to recognize international efforts to 

 reduce dolphin mortality through the establishment of the International Dolphin Conservation 

 Program. The 1997 amendments require the National Marine Fisheries Service, in consultation 

 with the Marine Mammal Commission, to conduct research on the effects of chasing and 

 encircling dolphins in the course of setting purse seine nets around tuna. Based on whether that 

 research indicates that chase and encirclement are having significant adverse effects on any 

 depleted dolphin stock, the requirements for labeling tuna as "dolphin-safe" may change. The 

 Secretary of Commerce is required to make an initial finding in March 1999 as to whether tuna 

 fishing practices are having significant adverse effects. This chapter discusses the requirements 

 of the 1997 amendments and actions taken by the Service and the Commission with respect to 

 the research program and the establishment of criteria for making the initial determination. 



Growing populations of seals and sea lions may be affecting the recovery of salmon 

 stocks at certain locations along the west coast of the United States. On the east coast, in the 

 Gulf of Maine, seals may enter fish pens and eat salmon being raised in aquaculture operations. 

 Recognizing the potential conflicts between growing pinniped populations and fisheries. Congress 

 amended the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1994 to allow states to obtain lethal take 

 authority to protect certain depleted salmonid stocks. To date, Washington is the only state that 

 has requested authority to kill sea lions in an effort to prevent further decline of the depleted run 

 of steelhead salmon that passes through the Ballard Locks in Seattle. Because of the apparently 

 successful use of other measures, however, the state has not found it necessary to use its lethal 

 take authorization. In addition, Congress directed the National Marine Fisheries Service to study 

 and submit reports on pinniped-fishery interactions along the west coast and in the Gulf of Maine 

 aquaculture industry. 



International Aspects of Marine Mammal Protection and Conservation (Chapter IV) 



The Marine Mammal Protection Act directs the Conmiission, in consultation with its 

 Committee of Scientific Advisors, to undertake a continuing review of, and to advise the 



