40 



Seal and sea lion populations along the west and northeast coasts 

 are increasing. The eastern North Pacific stock of gray whale 

 has recovered sufficiently that it no longer requires the 

 additional protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) . 



STATUS OF MARINE MAMMTVL STOCKS 



The status of most population stocks of marine mammals 

 relative to their DSP levels remains unknown. Sixty populations 

 of marine mammals listed in NMFS ' legislative proposal for 

 governing interactions between marine mammals and commercial 

 fishing operations are under NMFS jurisdiction. Of these 60 

 populations, 4 are within DSP levels and 10 are depleted — 2 of 

 which are threatened and 7 of which are endangered. The status 

 of the other 4 6 populations is unknown. The status of 4 species 

 of marine mammals, which have special significance under NMFS' 

 proposed regime, are discussed in detail below. 



Steller (Northern) sea lions are classified as threatened 



under the ESA and occur in coastal waters of the North Pacific 



Ocean from California to Japan. The species has declined 73 



percent throughout its range in just the Icst 20 years, and is 

 now well below its optimum level. 



The number of adults and juveniles in U.S. waters dropped 

 from 154,000 in 1960 to 42,000 in 1990. Most of this decline 

 occurred in Alaskan waters between Kenai and Kiska, where sea 



