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Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to allow incidental, but 

 not intentional, take of small numbers of marine mammals during 

 commercial fishing operations — an issue that has received 

 considerable attention since the Act was last amended in 1988 — 

 and in association with other, specified activities. 



Within the Department of the Interior, the Service is responsible 

 for managing marine mammals under our jurisdiction, and for 

 enforcing the moratorium on taking and importing marine mammals and 

 marine mammal products. In carrying out these responsibilities, we 

 evaluate and process requests for waivers of the moratorium, as 

 well as requests for transfer of management authority to the 

 States, and we conduct law enforcement activities. 



The Service also advises the Department's Outer Continental Shelf 

 Development Program and reviews measures proposed to protect marine 

 mammals during offshore oil and gas exploration and development. 

 Finally, we participate in the development of international 

 agreements and activities. 



Under authority of the Endangered Species Act, the Service lists 

 marine mammals under its jurisdiction that are endangered or 

 threatened, and we enter into consultations with Federal agencies 

 to protect such species. 



In conducting these activities, the Service maintains a cooperative 



