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are reported systematically to the KMFS and this fishery data 

 base should be used to verify the accuracy of the "estimates" 

 being used. Obtaining an accurate estimate of fishing effort is 

 critically important because the estimates of mammal interactions 

 often are based upon extrapolations, rather than full reports. 



In this regard, the numbers of mammals reported by fishermen 

 to be "involved" with gear interactions may also be misleading 

 because of misunderstandings over what the word "involved" means. 

 In addition, the animals reported for the Atlantic fleet include 

 several mammals, such as California sea lions and Steller sea 

 lions, which are found only in the Pacific Ocean. Finally, the 

 numbers of mammals reported by vessels as killed or injured 

 appear suspect because they vary by an order of magnitude between 

 1990 and 1991 for no apparent reason. 



These reports need to be verified with a cross check of 

 fishery data before judgments are made about the relative 

 significance of the Atlantic longline fisheries. In this regard, 

 the agency has substantial fishery observer data which has been 

 gathered over the years. We are reviewing some of this fishery 

 data along with government scientists. The preliminary results 

 of this effort are: 



1. Reports from 49 observed trips and 314 sets in the NMFS 

 Southeast Fisheries Science Center from the second quarter 

 of 1992 through the first quarter of 1993 show only one 

 lethal take out of a total of six reported interactions. 



2. Reports from 14 observed trips and 169 sets in the NMFS 

 Northeast Fisheries Science Center show one lethal take and 

 two injuries of pilot whales. 



3. In the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana State University 

 observers reported one lethal take in 68 observed trips and 

 291 sets. 



