44 



Section 114 directs NMFS to develop a regime to govern 

 interactions between marine mammals and commercial fishing 

 operations after September 30, 1993. The regime would provide 

 adequate protection for marine mammals while allowing a limited 

 number of marine mammals to be taken incidental to fishing 

 activities. The regime would also have to include the ability to 

 collect additional data and incorporate these data into future 

 decisions. A successful regime would: 



(1) Focus resources on those marine mammals stocks most 

 affected by interactions with commercial fishing operations. 



(2) Assess the status of marine mammal stocks and monitor 

 the number of marine mammals removed in commercial fishing 

 operations. 



(3) Consider all human-related sources of mortality or 

 injury to assess the impact on marine mammal populations of 

 their interactions with commercial fishing operations. 



(4) Address the requirements of the ESA and other 

 legislation related to the conservation and management of 

 marine resources. 



(5) Develop and implement management actions or technology 

 designed to reduce incidental mortality of marine mammals in 

 commercial fishing operations. 



(6) Provide for long-term monitoring of marine mammal 

 stocks to ensure their recovery to, or maintenance within, 

 OSP. 



