The results of the Marine Mammal Fisheries Interaction Study (Miller 1981; Miller et al. in press) revealed the areas of most intense interaction with marine mammals in California. Research activities of the California Department of Fish and Game in FY 1981-82 centered around assessment of the harbor seal population, determining the feasibility of the underwater acoustic harassment device developed at Oregan State University as a management tool, and determining the aesthetic value of marine mammals in the recreational boat fishery, particularly off southern California. Behavioral studies of the harbor seal were also designed, but difficulty in marking the animals precluded completion of this objective. Several of the studies were delayed in the first part of the FY, and only the basic development studies were completed for this annual report. The annual report for 1982-83 will present the final results of the acoustic harassment study and radio tagging of harbor seals at the Klamath River.

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