A SCIENTIFIC STAFF 43 



data, nonetheless realize that such collections do not at present exist, 

 and in the nature of things probably cannot be developed practically 

 for high seas fisheries. It is true now, and probably will always re- 

 main true, that management decisions concerning high seas fisheries 

 will have to be made on the basis of partially complete scientific 

 information. This does not suggest that we should change om ideal 

 goal, but rather that we should recognize the practical needs and 

 requirements of fisheries management problems, and proceed on the 

 best evidence available. It ^vould be a serious mistake if we were to 

 accept the idea that no effective management decisions could be 

 made ^vithout complete data. Such a requirement would frustrate 

 any attempt at high seas fisheries management. 



A SCIENTIFIC STAFF FOR THE INTERNATIONAL 

 NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES COMMISSION 



Under the 1953 treaty the Commission was organized into three 

 sections, which have operated quite independently from each other. 

 Each of these three sections has its o^vn scientific research staff. There 

 is no such staff for the Commission as a whole. The Commission has 

 a director and an assistant director, but so far they have fulfilled 

 only a coordinating function. But the primary coordination of re- 

 search has been the responsibility of a committee on biology that has 

 included members of the Commission and of the advisory commit- 

 tees. The actual research has been conducted by the separate, na- 

 tional research staffs, under separate appropriations from their 

 respective governments. 



This type of organization, ^vhich tends to keep to a minimum the 

 power of the Commission and to assure that effective po^ver remains 

 distributed in the hands of the national sections, probably reflects 

 the wide diversity and complexity of the opposing claims in the 

 North Pacific. Management of these fisheries involves matters of 

 sovereignty of the respective countries, as well as of national pride 

 in their own fishing fleets. Discussions of management by the North 

 Pacific Commission reflect the present high level of competition be- 

 tween the current treaty members, the basic suspicion by many of 

 the nationals and industries of these coimtries of international or- 

 ganizations in general, and the desires of the national governments 



