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gating the movement and interaction of polar bear groups between the Alaska 

 coastal and Arctic Uceau populations. 



For walrus our current research eliorts include determining the ecological 

 relationships among ice breeding walrus and seals and to determine parasite 

 ami environmental contaminants in walruses. 



Sea otter studies include determining the biology and management needs for 

 the California sea otter, determining the interactions between sea otters and 

 other aquatic species along the Alaska and California coast, and determining 

 annual and seasonal movement, abundance and composition of populations of 

 sea Hi uts and other marine mammals in Prince William Sound, Alaska. 



Research on manatees include continuing studies on stranded manatees, 

 development of manatee tagging and tracking technology, determination of the 

 role of the manatee in the aquatic ecosystem, and determination of the dis- 

 tribution and status of all taxa and populations of manatees. 



Dugong research has been limited to studies on distribution, abundance 

 and population trends. 



The funding authorization for marine mammals research reflects the specific 

 information needs to provide a scientific basis for decisions under the Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act. After a working session review and subsequent dis- 

 cussions of the Service's marine mammal research program with the Marine 

 Mammal Commission, they made specific recommendations on our program 

 and suggested that a long-ranged plan be developed. 



Such a plan has been developed. It will provide the basic data for popula- 

 tion and ecosystem models that will enable us to predict the consequences of 

 any proposed management action on the marine mammal environment. The 

 required research will be conducted by in-house research projects augmented 

 by cooperative studies with foreign countries and with personnel from other 

 Federal agencies, State agencies and universities funded through grants. 



Specific research needs that have been identified include expanded work on 

 the California sea otter and Hawaiian monk seal, further development of an 

 ecosystem approach to understanding on the manatee in Florida and adjacent 

 areas, and the accumulation and interpretation of data on environmental pol- 

 lutants. The new research thrust will also include manatees in Central and 

 South America, as well as West Africa ; studies of the dugong, especially in 

 connection with development of super ports and increased shipping activities ; 

 and investigations of oiling of marine mammals, with special emphasis on 

 those marine mammals that occur in areas where oil spills seem highly likely 

 in the near future. 



In a very recent development the Service and the National Marine Fisheries 

 Service have agreed to cooperatively establish a marine mammal tagging 

 project. The project will provide in the Fish and Wildlife Service a single 

 centralized clearinghouse and information center for all marine mammal tag- 

 ging operations and stimulate research and development of new tags and 

 tagging techniques. 



In addition the Service is involved with the U.S.S.R. in the study and 

 management of marine mammals under the Agreement on Cooperation in the 

 Field of Environmental Protection. The marine mammal projects are devel- 

 oped to provide collaborative research on the biology, ecology and population 

 dynamics of marine mammals of mutual interest to both nations. 



Section 114(b) authorizes a general appropriation to the Secretary of the 

 Interior to carry out functions and responsibilities under the Marine Mammal 

 Protection Act. Current funding of $525,000 under this section expires with 

 the end of fiscal year 1977. Funding under Section 114(b) is utilized by the 

 Service in three general areas. They are: administration, permit processing 

 and enforcement and protection. 



As you know, Mr. Chairman, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, provided 

 a broad moratorium on the taking of marine mammals. The moratorium must 

 be lifted if the taking of any marine mammal — other than for display, scien- 

 tific research, or for native Alaskan handicraft, clothing and subsistence pur- 

 poses — is contemplated. In addition to lifting the moratorium, regulations gov- 

 erning the taking of the species must be issued. The waiver process requires 

 certain specific procedures to be followed, among them the conduct of a hear- 

 ing "on the record" in the process of prescribing regulations. 



The State of Alaska submitted to the Departments of the Interior and Com- 

 merce a request to waive the moratorium on nine of the 28 marine mammal 

 species in Alaska. Three of the nine species are under the jurisdiction of the 

 Department of the Interior — polar bears, walruses and sea otters. 





