To Appoint a Committee to Study Future Management of San Miguel Island

WHEREAS, San Miguel Island of the Channel Islands of California is unique in that six species of pinnipeds occur on its shores (California sea lion, Zalophus californianus; Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubata; Guadalupe fur seal, Arctocephalus philippii; northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus; harbor seal Phoca vitulina; and northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris), and therefore is a resource that deserves special management consideration; and

WHEREAS, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 specifically directs that effort be made to protect marine mammal rookeries, mating ground, and areas of similar significance from the adverse effect of man's actions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists requests that the Marine Mammal Commission appoint a committee to study all aspects and values of San Miguel Island with the purpose to recommend action needed to insure the protection of the marine mammals living on this island.