314 



BACKGROUND 



In fulfilling its responsibilities, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 

 the Commission has : 



Participated in hearings, on specific issues and oversight, before this Com- 



mittee; . , . . . 



Participated in administrative hearings on regulations, requests for waivers 

 of the moratorium, and requests for return of management; 



Made formal recommendations to the Congress and to Federal agencies on 

 more than 103 matters, other than permit applications, related to marine 

 mammal protection, conservation, and management; 



Recommended actions to the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior on 

 228 permit applications to take marine mammals for purposes of scientific 

 research or public display; 



Contributed to the development of the U.S. position in International nego- 

 tiations affecting marine mammals; 



Made recommendations to the Congress concerning ratification of agree- 

 ments on polar bears, Antarctic seals, and North Pacific fur seals; 



Recommended to the Departments of Commerce, the Interior, and Agricul- 

 ture, standards for the holding of marine mammals ; 



Undertaken studies of marine and coastal areas in which marine mammals 

 may require special protection ; 



Made recommendations on research, the negotiation of international agree- 

 ments, and other matters in efforts to resolve the tuna-porpoise problem; 



Caused the undertaking of, participated in and partially supported a major 

 research cruise devoted to examining behavioral as well as other approaches 

 to solving the tuna-porpoise problem ; 



Conducted and/or supported workshops on tuna-porpoise behavior; popula- 

 tion assessment; the status of certain stocks; sea otter research; marine 

 mammal marking and data storage, the effect of the Nantucket oil spill on 

 marine mammals ; and porpoise breeding in captivity ; 



Reviewed and commented on marine mammal research activities of other 

 Federal agencies ; 



Recommended changes in the Endangered Species List including recom- 

 mending designation of the Hawaiian monk seal as endangered and parts of 

 Its habitat as critical ; 



Carefully evaluated activities undertaken by Federal agencies to enforce the 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act and made recommendations based on that 

 review : 



Carefully reviewed the permit system and recommended approaches to im- 

 proving its efficiency ; 



Analyzed and recommended changes in management plans affecting marine 

 mammals in national parks ; 



Made recommendations on proposed outer continental shelf leasing and 

 drilling actions ; 



Reviewed and commented on the California Coastal Plan for coastal zone 

 management; and 



Contributed papers and expertise to domestic and international scientific 

 consultations on marine mammals. 



THE OBJECTIVES FOB FISCAL YEAB 1978 



Certain of our objectives for fiscal year 1978 reflect continuing responsibili- 

 ties. These are: 



To continue to manage and make known the results of the program of 

 research and studies in which specific problem areas relevant to the conser- 

 vation and protection of marine mammals are addressed ; 



To exercise a catalytic and coordinating influence upon the overall national 

 marine mammal research and study efforts to ensure a greater yield and 

 prevent wasteful, duplicative research ; 



To make recommendations to the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior 

 regarding the issuance of permits for the taking of marine mammals : 



To make recommendations to the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior 

 regarding waivers of the moratorium, the resumption of state management, 

 and other matters; and 



