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Kraus and Prescott, P. 2 



been on the agenda of right whale researchers since 1986. They are 

 identified as high priorities in the NMTS right whale Recovery 

 Plan, published in 1991. The conservation reconunendations outlined 

 in the Biological Opinion are essential to determine if the MWKA 

 outfall affects marine mammals and their habitats. 



If the American public wants right whales around in 100 years, 

 we suggest that Congress allocate additional funds for management 

 and independent research on this species, to allow NMFS fulfill the 

 mandate of the recovery plan. We also suggest that implementation 

 of the recovery plan be expedited, and that interagency 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 

 effective mitigation of all threats to right whales. 



