20 



In an era of Federal deficits and efforts to streamline government 

 bureaucracy it does not seem wise to have several agencies regulat- 

 ing the same thing. 



Mr. Chairman, since 1972, the public display community has an- 

 swered the call to help conserve marine mammals. We ask that you 

 support the invaluable work we do and help us ensure that present 

 and future generations of Americans have the opportunity to learn 

 about the importance of marine mammal conservation. 



Our specific legislative recommendations are found in my written 

 testimony. To assist the Subcommittee in these deliberations, I 

 have asked a panel of experts to be with me here today and I can 

 introduce them at the appropriate time. I thank you for the oppor- 

 tunity to comment. 



[Statement of Mr. Jenkins can be found at the end of the hear- 

 ing.] 



Mr. Studds. Thank you very much, sir. Let me just observe 

 those two bells are a vote on the floor. It is my intention to adjourn 

 for only as long as it takes me to get across the street and back, 

 which I would guess is about seven and one-half minutes. So, we 

 will stand at adjournment just for that amount of time. Thank you. 

 We apologize for the delay. 



[Recess.] 



Mr. Studds. We apologize for the first of several inevitable inter- 

 ruptions and we will resume with Dr. John Grandy of the Humane 

 Society. Dr. Grandy. 



STATEMENT OF JOHN GRANDY, VICE PRESIDENT FOR WILD- 

 LIFE AND HABITAT PROTECTION, HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE 

 UNITED STATES 



Mr. Grandy. Good morning, sir. I am Dr. John Grandy, vice 

 president for Wildlife and Habitat Protection with The Humane So- 

 ciety of the United States and Humane Society International. 



I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to testify today 

 on behalf of The Humane Society of the United States and fourteen 

 other member organizations of the Marine Mammal Protection Co- 

 alition and our combined membership and constituency of over 3 

 million persons worldwide. 



Public opinion concerning marine mammals in captivity has been 

 changing. Documentaries, research on free living animals, wildlife 

 photography and films, such as "Free Willy" as you mentioned, 

 have established a new public awareness of the complex nature of 

 these animals. 



The hundreds of thousands of calls made to the 800 number at 

 the end of Free Willy, as well as the proliferation of aquaria with- 

 out live marine mammal exhibits, the closing of seasonal dolphin 

 shows at amusement parks, and State legislation prohibiting public 

 display, illustrate that the debate on public display is entering a 

 new era. 



My comments are detailed in my testimony and I will summarize 

 them at this time. First, we believe the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act should be amended to clarify the jurisdiction between APHIS 

 and the National Marine Fisheries Service. We certainly agree with 

 Dr. Nancy Foster that this needs to be done and it needs to be done 

 now. 



