17 



The right whale is the species in the North Atlantic which most 

 frequently occupies the coastal zone of the North American Conti- 

 nent. As such, it travels basically from Florida to Nova Scotia in 

 the near zone. In fact, the component of the population that travels 

 in the near shore region are primarily mothers and calves and ju- 

 veniles. So, basically, the reproductive component of the population 

 is that component of the population which is also most vulnerable 

 to whatever we do along the coast of the United States. 



Having said all of that, right whales live pretty low on the food 

 chain. Our studies on toxics in the tissues of right whales have in- 

 dicated that they are relatively low compared to other marine 

 mammals. Nevertheless, it is a matter of concern that we do not 

 know thresholds for impact on reproductive success or the whole 

 population biology and dynamics of toxics or contaminants in the 

 food chain as they relate to right whales. The monitoring recom- 

 mendations and the biological opinion are, therefore, particularly 

 important in addressing these questions. 



Finally, one of the reasons that there are so many questions 

 about right whales and the potential effects of the outfall is that 

 independent research efforts have been limited over the last five 

 years. Studies on food chain effects and population biology and 

 human effects have been in the agenda of right whale researchers 

 since 1986. They are identified as high priorities in the recovery 

 plan published by NMFS in 1991. 



The conservation recommendations outlined in the biological 

 opinion are essential to determine how the MWRA outfall affects 

 marine mammals. In our opinion, if the American public wants 

 right whales around in a hundred years, we suggest the Congress 

 allocate additional funds for management and independent re- 

 search on this species to allow NMFS to fulfill the mandate of the 

 recovery plan. We also suggest an implementation of the recovery 

 plan be expedited and that inter-agency cooperation and outside 

 peer review of both research and management actions become an 

 essential part of that implementation. These actions will ensure 

 sound management responses to projects like the outfall and effec- 

 tive mitigation of all threats to the right whales. 



Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Kraus can be found at the end of 

 the hearing.] 



Mr. Studds. Thank you very much, sir. 



Now the State's and perhaps the country's other reigning expert 

 on the critter we are focused on, Mr. Charles Mayo of the Center 

 for Coastal Studies in Provincetown. Mr. Mayo, welcome. 



CHARLES MAYO, CENTER FOR COASTAL STUDIES 



Mr. Mayo. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, thank you, and thank the 

 members of the Subcommittee for offering this opportunity to com- 

 ment on the biological opinion. Like many, I have enthusiastically 

 supported the Boston Harbor cleanup. I have, at the same time, 

 had some reservations regarding the potential impact which such a 

 project might have on the coastal waters of the Commonwealth, 

 particularly on the critical habitats of the fisheries and, of course, 

 of the right whale. 



