visitors who came to fish, picnic, swim, watch the 

 birds, photograph the wildlife, and hunt. 



Vitally important as these resources are, per- 

 petuating them for future generations poses grave 

 problems for Federal and State wildlife administra- 

 tors. Fish and wildlife are under tremendous pressure 

 today in the keen battle for land and water that is so 

 characteristic of our expanding population and indus- 

 trialization. The demands of civilization are reducing 

 their natural habitats at an alarming rate. An exploding 

 population requires new homes, new industrial plants, 

 and new networks of highways, progressively crowding 

 fish and game into smaller and less suitable areas. 

 The basic problem becomes that of trying to cushion 

 the impact men are making on our natural resources 

 by setting aside small areas in which trained wildlife 

 managers through new techniques compensate in part 

 for the great losses in fish and wildlife habitats. 



The demands of civilization are inexorable. But 

 this need not mean the complete destruction of our 

 fish and wildlife resources if we give proper consider- 

 ation to their conservation in the course of develop- 

 ment. 



Fortunately, there is a growing awareness of the 

 critical situation confronting American wildlife and of 

 its vital importance to our people. Most people realize 

 that although not everyone hunts or fishes, everyone 

 does have a stake of some kind in wildlife, whether it 

 be as a source of food or of recreation to relieve the 

 tensions of life. 



Yellowfin tuna, part of thefive billion poundsoffish which 

 American commercial fishermen bring in each year. 



