[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 31, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 15346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7887]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 032399B]


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals; International Dolphin 
Conservation Program

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of initial research results 
from the International Dolphin Conservation Program survey of dolphins 
in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP).

ADDRESSES: A copy of the research results may be found on the internet 
at http://swfsc.ucsd.edu/IDCPA/IDCPAfront.html. Copies may also be 
obtained from the Marine Mammal Division, Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, California 
92038-0271 (fax 619-546-7003).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS has conducted scientific research 
required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended by the 
International Dolphin Conservation Program Act ((IDCPA) 16 U.S.C 
1414(a)). Under the IDCPA, NMFS is required to study the effects of 
intentional encirclement on dolphins incidentally taken in the tuna 
purse seine fishery in the ETP, and to conduct population abundance 
surveys and stress studies. The IDCPA requires the Secretary of 
Commerce to make an initial finding regarding whether intentional 
encirclement is having a significant adverse impact on any depleted 
dolphin stock in the ETP (16 U.S.C. 1385(g)). NMFS' report on the study 
has been delayed by 30 days while completing an additional independent 
peer review requested by Congress. NMFS expects to publish a 
notification of the Secretary's initial finding in early May.

    Dated: March 24, 1999.
Linda A. Chaves,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7887 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F