153 



Mr. Eeinecke. The reason I asked the question is because yesterday 

 the Navy put forth the lead agency concept, and they felt they were 

 in a pretty good position, not necessarily to run the show. They did not 

 ask for it, but I think they would like to have it. 



Recalling the testimony from the Department of the Interior 2 years 

 ago when we discussed the Marine Resources Act, my recollection is 

 that Interior came right out and made a bid to run the whole Govern- 

 ment program. I do not recall who was up here, whether it was you 

 or not, but I know this caused a bit of a stir on the committee, and this 

 is probably one of the reasons we set up the Commission. 



That is the reason I am interested to know how ambitious your 

 programs are at the present time. Thank you for your answer. 



One more question. 



You mentioned the needs on page 24, and one of them was that the 

 work can be expanded and used further in assisting the Department of 

 State, AID, et cetera. Because of your interest in fisheries in the 

 Department, have you made any advances to the Department of State 

 with regard to the seizure of tuna boats off South America ? 



Dr. Cain. Yes, sir; we have worked and continue to work very 

 closely with the State Department on fisheries problems. The Depart- 

 ment of the Interior has representation on nine international fisheries 

 commissions that relate to the oceans, and I think on four or 5 other 

 kinds of international arrangements. So, we are in constant contact 

 with the State Department. 



We are particularly concerned about various claims to national 

 territories which in some cases, as you know, extend as much as 200 

 miles. These problems are continually discussed with the State 

 Department. 



Mr. Reinecke. What has your Department done to try to protect the 

 fishermen in these particular cases which may affect other fisheries 

 around the world ? 



Dr. Cain. For example, the State Department, I think quite prop- 

 erly, does not recognize excessive claims to territorial limits. There is 

 no basis in international law so far for that. When we come to the 

 problem of tuna boats that are arrested or buy licenses, we do not really 

 approve of this. We have no way of stopping a company from buying 

 a license under these conditions. As you probably know, there is legis- 

 lation before Congress now which would, if passed, cause the Federal 

 Government to give assistance in these difficult problems to the fishing 

 industry so private industries would not bear the whole burden of these 

 difficulties. 



Mr. Reinecke. That legislation was proposed on Monday. I was inter- 

 ested to see whether or not your Department was actively pursuing 

 this, because I think it is a national problem. 



Dr. Cain. I think I could make the general statement that we do our 

 hest to protect American industrial interests in this because they are, 

 in turn, in the national interest. 



JNIr. Pelly. Would the gentleman yield. 



In order that the record may be complete with regard to the legis- 

 lation for assistance to fishermen who have suffered harassment, I 

 think it only fair to say the House expressed its sense of outrage by 

 defeating that bill. Yet, the Government is not willing to protect our 



86-705— 68— pt. 1 11 



