324 



c. Florida Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, Data Analysis and Tag- 

 ging Initiation. Uncertainties associated with Tursiops population levels sur- 

 rounding Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico can be resolved through a care- 

 fully described program designed to provide the necessary information for 

 Intelligent management. These funds would be used to catalytically force 

 appropriate population and behavioral research and to analyze past capture 

 records. ($25,000) 



d. Jagging and .Marking Methodology. There are a number of marine mammal 

 tagging and marking techniques in use. Several, with further refinement, can 

 In- of substantially greater use and value. Furthermore, the lack of standardi- 

 zation in tagging and marking methodology has contributed, and will continue 

 to contribute unless changed, to lesser data utilization than might otherwise 

 be possible. The Commission will continue to support studies to develop and 

 Standardize tagging and marking techniques based on past research and key 

 efforts defined in workshops presently underway and planned. ($25,000) 



e. Analysis of Harp Seal Data. The Commission believes that the United 

 States, not having exercised its options under the International Convention 

 for North Atlantic Fisheries, may still influence the harp seal fishery by care- 

 fully analyzing collected data on this species. The results of that study may 

 conclusively demonstrate the existence of compelling biological reasons for 

 diminishing the take. ($15,000) 



Section III : $2,000,000 Appropriation,, $1,050,000 for Research and Studies. 



a. California Sea Otters. In addition to work already described, needs to 

 gather additional information on the California sea otter must be met. For 

 example, manipulative and descriptive studies to determine precisely how sea 

 otters influence nearshore community compositions are needed. Some manage- 

 ment decisions will have to be made before all of the necessary information is 

 gathered since the process will take a number of years. In the interim, every 

 effort must be made to gather, according to a rational plan, as much infor- 

 mation as possible to provide continuing guidance for the development of 

 management policies. ($125,000) 



b. Marine Mammal Fisheries Interactions in California, Alaska, Florida. 

 Oregon, and Washington. In addition to the Commission's workshop and study 

 approach to this issue discussed earlier, specific case studies must be done. 

 These would include analyses of the relationships between various species of 

 marine mammals and commercial and sports fisheries with which they interact. 

 The Commission would expect to support this work on a cooperative basis with 

 concerned Federal and State agencies. ($100,000) 



c. Critical Habitat. Precise site identification, with attendant research activi- 

 ties and follow-up research, must be done to define and support the designation 

 of certain areas as critical marine mammal habitats and to refine governing 

 habitat designation and management. ($50,000) 



d. Arctic Marine Mammal Census Studies. As has been noted earlier, a 

 wealth of unanalyzed information exists about marine mammals in the Arctic. 

 In conjunction with analyses of previously collected data, more sophisticated 

 and comprehensive censuses of certain species should be done. A critical review 

 of collected data and intensive censusing of present populations will provide 

 an understanding, presently lacking, of existing population parameters essential 

 to refining management strategies to protect and conserve the animals. 

 ($150,000) 



e. Eurosystem Modeling. Attempts have been made to model various eco- 

 svstems, including National Marine Fisheries Service efforts in the Bering 

 Sea. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is its basic belief that 

 populations must be viewed within the ecosvstem context, the Commission 

 intends to support additional research on ecosystem analvses. Included would 

 be examinations of discrete coastal ecosvstems of the United States and an 

 intensified Southern Ocean effort. ( $100,000) 



f. Support of State and "Regional Management Planning and Research. 

 Additional sunnort. as wonVl be annrom-iate ruder Section* 100 and 110(a). 

 would be provided several State agencies involved in devclopinc: management 

 strategies to assure the conservation of marine m«mmal populations. This is 

 parrienlarlv true for California and A?»sk». ($1 "5.000) 



ft. Biochemical Methods of Stock Identity. Sound P">ana foment practices re- 

 ouire management bv populations ralier than species. Tn flptertniniT»«? the* 

 actual status of given marine mammal populations such as various species of 



