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Marine Mammals
{{Porpoise Entanglement. In the Aug. 6, 1997 issue of Nature, U.S.
scientists reported the successful results of 1994 tests of acoustic
alarms on sink gillnets in the Gulf of Maine. While 2 porpoises
became entangled in nets fitted with alarms, 25 porpoises were
caught in nets carrying similar but silent devices. Cod and pollock
catch was unaffected by the alarms, but herring appeared to avoid
nets with the alarms.}} [Reuters]
Norwegian Whaling. On July 25, 1997, Norway's whaling season
concluded with Norwegian whalers in 31 vessels reported to have
taken 503 whales of their 580-whale quota. This harvest is
estimated to have produced 730 tons of meat valued at about $2.9
million. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
Manatees. On July 22, 1997, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
officials announced increased patrolling of Brevard Co., FL's
manatee protection zone. Along with the FL Marine Patrol, the FWS
will enforce boating and recreation regulations, since
watercraft-related injuries (many of which were reported in Brevard
Co.) have contributed to 27 of FL's more than 110 manatee deaths so
far in 1997. On July 23, 1997, Univ. of Miami scientists reported
that a papillomavirus had been {identified} for the first time in
two FL manatees from different locations; this virus can cause
benign skin tumors. [Assoc Press, Reuters]
CITES Hearing. On July 17, 1997, the House Resources Subcommittee
on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans held an oversight
hearing on the results of the recent meeting of CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Parties in Zimbabwe. [Congr. Record]
Atlantic Large Whale Protection Measures. On July 15, 1997, NMFS
announced details of a substantially revised 4-year Atlantic Large
Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce large whale entanglement in
lobster and gillnet fishing gear along the Atlantic coast.
Fishermen will be permitted to choose among a list of options for
modifying fishing gear to address entanglement concerns by Jan. 1,
1998. Comments on the plan will be accepted through Oct. 15, 1997,
with the rule taking effect on Nov. 15, 1997. Critical whale
habitat would be closed to certain gear during times of whale
concentration, but gear modifications would not be required for gear
fished in inshore coves and harbors. [NOAA press release, Assoc
Press]
Tuna-Dolphin Legislation. On July 14, 1997, the Senate Commerce
Committee reported S. 39 with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute, without a written report; S. 39 was placed on the Senate
Calendar under General Orders. On July 25, 1997, the Senate
vitiated a call for a cloture vote on S. 39, and announced a
compromise agreement providing for lifting of import sanctions on
tuna, and modification of the dolphin-safe labeling if studies of
dolphin health and biology, to be completed by March 1999, cannot
prove that long-term harm is being done to dolphins by surrounding
them with tuna seines. On July 30, 1997, the U.S. Senate voted
99-0 to pass S. 39, incorporating compromise amendments to the
International Dolphin Conservation Program. This measure would end
import sanctions on non-dolphin-safe tuna, and could allow tuna
caught in purse seines where no dolphins are killed or seriously
injured to be labeled "dolphin-safe" if research cannot prove by
March 1999 that dolphins suffer long-term adverse effects from being
chased, herded, and surrounded by purse seines. On July 31, 1997,
the U.S. House unanimously agreed to accept the Senate amended S.
39, and this measure was sent to the President. [Reuters, Congr.
Record, Assoc Press, Dow Jones News, Center for Marine Conservation
press release, Defenders of Wildlife press release]
Items in this summary are excerpted from a variety of information
sources. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is not
responsible for the accuracy of the various news items. For
additional information on items in this summary or their sources,
congressional staff may call Gene Buck (CRS-ENR) at 7-7262 or send a
fax to 7-7289. This summary is available daily or weekly (each
Friday) via e-mail to congressional staff; requests from
congressional staff to be added to the daily or weekly distribution
lists may be sent to "[log in to unmask]".
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