Also, it is not clear whether the regional teams would be respon- 

 sible for considering and providing advice to the Secretary on ac- 

 tivities other than commercial fisheries that may be affecting or 

 posing threats to marine mammals. 



In summary, the Commission, like the National Marine Fisheries 

 Service, I think, believes that the proposed legislation, with some 

 clarification, would be both workable and reasonable, at least in 

 the short-term. 



In the long-term, however, I think some revision, as well as some 

 clarification, would be necessary to ensure that adequate protection 

 of marine mammals will be provided and at the same time mini- 

 mize hardship on fisheries. 



I see the red light is on, and I just made it. 



Mr. Studds. Thank you. 



[The statement of Dr. Hofman can be found at the end of the 

 hearing.] 



Mr. Studds. We are going to suspend for one moment in order to 

 hear a brief and undoubtedly tranquil statement from one of the 

 great terrestrial mammals, the gentlemen from Alaska. 



STATEMENT OF THE HON. DON YOUNG, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 



FROM ALASKA 



Mr. Young. I am sure some in the audience would like to make 

 me an endangered species, not just put me on the endangered spe- 

 cies list. 



Mr. Chairman, I want to congratulate the panel. First, my con- 

 gratulations to those also who spent many months negotiating this 

 compromise. I know it wasn't easy. I know there were many con- 

 cessions made on all sides. However, I think the agreement is a 

 good agreement. 



Second, with regard to our bill, it is not perfect. We know that. 

 The staff on both sides of the aisle have tried very hard to write a 

 bill that reflects the agreement that was reached. Where the bill is 

 different, it is mainly due to lack of time available. In some cases 

 there are infusions of what your compromise intended. 



There was no deliberate attempt by the staff to undermine your 

 agreement or to push different agendas. 



We do want your comments. That is why we are having this 

 hearing. What we don't get today, we welcome in writing, phone 

 calls or meetings. I expect the staff of this Committee will not get a 

 summer vacation this year because they will be working on this 

 bill. However, we want cooperation from the interested parties, not 

 a lot of unnecessary yelling and screaming or agitation. I am not 

 trying to achieve any goal but what we are trying to do in this leg- 

 islation. 



Finally, a word about the process. The markup tomorrow has 

 been canceled because too many people complained. I understand 

 their concern. Remember, though, we have to get a bill signed by 

 the President by September 30th or the entire U.S. fishing industry 

 is at risk. I hope the witnesses will work toward that goal. 



If it looks like we cannot get a final bill by then, I am prepared 

 to introduce a bill to extend the existing fisheries exemption. I 



