OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 365 



While the results of this work will be available to the Bureau of Commercial 

 Fisheries, the Bureau will not participate directly in the surveys and inspections 

 required. 



The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries plan to follow the disposal operations 

 very carefully, with the aim of protecting fishing interests should this become 

 necessary. At present we believe there is no cause for concern if disposal is 

 carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the National Academy of 

 Sciences. 



Sincerely yours, 



Ross Leffleb, Assistant Secretary. 



Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Statement on Disposal of Low Level Radio- 

 active Wastes in the Sea 



It is the opinion of the Bureau that the ocean should be used as little as possible 

 for disposal of atomic wastes or other unwanted materials. If the ocean is to 

 be used for disposal, however, it should be done according to a well-designed plan. 

 Areas should be selected for disposal which will not harm other interests. Their 

 numbers should be kept to a minimum, they should be well marked, and their 

 existence should be publicized. Furthermore, all disposal operations should be 

 policed closely. Unless these conditions are met, this Bureau would be opposed 

 to waste disposal at sea. 



The question central to our consideration is whether or not introduction of low 

 level radioactive substances into the marine environment will be harmful to 

 marine resources. Considering several factors involved, particularly that the 

 materials to be disposed of are of a very low level of activity and that the amount 

 is to be limited annually, the Bui'eau would not object to sea disposal on the basis 

 of harm to fishery resources as a result of radioactivity. We would insist, how- 

 ever, that the operation be carefully monitored so as to insure that disposal is 

 carried out according to regulation. 



From time to time fishermen working in the gulf have hauled up drums of non- 

 radioactive substances in their nets. This has caused damage to gear, loss of 

 fishing time, and alarm on the part of fishermen. Entrance of the drums into 

 fishing nets results because they were not placed in proper disposal areas by com- 

 mercial disposal contractors. Thus similar difiiculties could arise from improper 

 disposal of drums containing radioactive wastes. 



Care must also be taken to insure that public misconceptions of the effect of 

 this activity will not result in consumers shying away from fishery products har- 

 vested from this area. Important segments of our gulf fishing industry are 

 already confronted with difiicult marketing problems. Any act that will create 

 public fear of radioactivity in fishery commodities will tend toward additional 

 consumer resistance, which should be avoided. 



Persons interested in studying the matter of sea disposal of unwanted materials 

 might wish to read Publication 655 of the National Academy of Sciences — National 

 Research Council entitled "Radioactive Waste Disposal Into Atlantic and Gulf 

 Coastal Waters." We regard this study as an objective effort on the part of the 

 Atomic Energy Commission and the National Academy of Sciences to handle dis- 

 posal of low level wastes in a logical way. We will insist, though, that the require- 

 ments for pre- and post-disposal monitoring, maximum rate of disposal and 

 policing of operations be rigidly followed in any future operations. It is im- 

 portant to note, that the areas proposed to receive low level wastes are 

 suggested as tentative. Before activation of any disposal area, detailed studies 

 are to be made of all environmental and use conditions, to insure that the opera- 

 tion will be safe and will not cause confiict with fishing or other interests. 



In summary, the Bureau would support the recommendations contained in this 

 report, with the reservation that the rigid requirements for study and policing 

 be carefully followed. 



Mr. Rivers. Before departing-, I would like to say I appreciate the 

 penetrating- interrogation of our colleague, Mr. Pelly, from Washing- 

 ton and I want to say I have a vast respect for his special knowledge 

 and grasp of this problem. I know he will be a great help to the com- 

 mittee. 



Mr, Miller. We are happy to have Mr, McKernan and Mr. McHugh 

 here. I believe you have a prepared statement and that you are going 

 to show us some pictures. 



