MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION - Annual Report for 1998 



29 October 



Fisheries Service on 48 draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for the 

 marine mammal stocks in the Alaska, Pacific, and Atlantic regions. 



Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on proposed 

 regulations to modify restrictions on Atka mackerel fishing areas and seasons in the 

 Aleutian Islands; recommending that the Service adopt the regulations as described in 

 the proposed rule; further recommending that the Service implement vessel monitor- 

 ing system requirements for the Atka mackerel fishery as soon as possible; and 

 recommending that the Service consult with representatives of the commercial fishing 

 industry and other appropriate individuals and agencies to design and implement a 

 program to determine the effect of these proposed regulations on the availability of 

 Atka mackerel to Steller sea lions, and on Steller sea lion recovery. 



4 November 



Commerce, amendment of scientific research permit, Alaska Department of Fish and 

 Game. 



6 November 



Commerce, scientific research permit, Dan R. Salden, Hawaii Whale Research 

 Foundation. 



13 November 

 13 November 



Interior, public display permit, Dallas World Aquarium. 



Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a request from 

 the U.S. Air Force for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals by 

 harassment incidental to testing of obstacle and mine clearance systems at Eglin Air 

 Force Base in Florida; suggesting that the Air Force, if it has not already done so, 

 consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to confirm that manatees are unlikely to 

 occur in or near the vicinity of the test site when the tests are scheduled to be 

 conducted. 



25 November 

 25 November 



1 December 



Commerce, amendment of scientific research permit, Robin W. Baird. 



Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a request from 

 BP Exploration Inc. for authorization to take by harassment small numbers of 

 bowhead whales, gray whales, beluga whales, ringed seals, bearded seals, and 

 spotted seals incidental to construction of an offshore oil platform and subsea pipeline 

 at its Northstar Unit in the Beaufort Sea in Alaska State waters; recommending that 

 the Service grant the requested authorization provided it is satisfied that the proposed 

 marine mammal monitoring program for 1999 is adequate to verify that only small 

 numbers of marine mammals are taken, that the taking is by harassment only, and 

 that the impacts on the affected species and stocks are negligible. 



Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a proposed 

 authorization for the incidental take by harassment of small numbers of harbor seals 

 during the demolition and reconstruction of the Still Harbor Dock Facility on McNeil 

 Island in Puget Sound, Washington; noting that a small-take exemption should not be 

 granted unless the uncertainties and the details of the monitoring program have been 

 worked out and the Service is able to reasonably conclude that the program is 

 adequate to detect any possible harmful effects on the local harbor seal population. 



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