188 



significance for each species of marine mammals from adverse 

 activities." 21 



In a letter to the Department of State, Congressman 



Dingell stressed this theme by stating: 



The disappearance or low population levels of 

 certain species of marine mammals would clearly 

 have implications for the ecosystems of which 

 these mammals have been a significant part. 

 Also, the level of pollution of the world's 

 oceans will unquestionably have some effect 

 upon them which might well be to increase the 

 environmental stress limiting their growth and 

 survival rates. 22 



The State Department replied: 



[T]he disappearance or serious reduction in the 

 population levels of marine mammals can affect 

 the stability and viability of marine 

 ecosystems which in turn can lead to a more 

 generalized disruption of the marine 

 environmental balance. If we are to preserve 

 the oceans, and if their resources are to be 

 preserved for mankind, programs must be 

 developed that view the oceans and their flora 

 and fauna as a totality . . . . 23 



21 



S. Rep. No. 863, 92d Cong., 2d Seas. 11 (1972). 



22 Letter from John Dingell, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on 

 Piaheries and Wildlife Conservation, to Christian Herter, Special Assistant 

 to the Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs (August 17, 1971), 

 reprinted in »«»»-<«« M^imy 1 ■» Hearings on H.R. 1 0420. et al.. Before the 

 Subcomm. on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation of the House Comm. on 

 Merchant Marine and Fisheries , 92d Cong., 1st Sess. 200 (1971) [hereinafter 

 House Hearings ] . 



23 Letter from Harrison M. Symms, Acting Assistant secretary of State 

 for Congressional Relations, to John Dingell, Chairman of the House 

 Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation (not dated), reprinted 

 in House Bearings at 200-201. 



[19633-0001/DA94O590.060] -18- 



