erosion and elevated sediment-PCB levels for Dover sole and starry 

 flounder from the Southern California Bight and Puget Sound 

 areas, respectively. A similar relationship has not been demonstrat- 

 ed for fin erosion in flatfishes from the New York Bight. Frequency 

 of fin rot in flatfishes from the bight region has declined both in 

 impacted and comparison areas since the early 1970's. 



The reason for the decline is unclear. Chromosomal aberrations 

 and elevated mortalities have been found in the eggs and larvae of 

 Atlantic mackerel — Scomber scombrus — taken from the New York 

 Bight Apex. Among early embryo stages, for example, samples with 

 the lowest mortalities were those most distant from the shoreline 

 or from major dumping sites. 



As was suggested earlier, toxicant effects such as fish diseases, 

 skeletal anomalies, and developmental failures reflect the total 

 contamination of the bight, rather than the result of sewage sludge 

 disposal alone. Sewage sludge disposal is likely to contribute to 

 these problems, but is not the sole or major cause at present. 



As the national ocean agency with responsibility for managing 

 and protecting living marine resources, we are hesitant to recom- 

 mend use of the oceans for waste disposal purposes. Nonetheless, 

 we recognize that under certain circumstances, this medium could 

 pose the least risk to human health and overall environmental 

 quality. Our comments addressing the relative advantages of one 

 ocean dumpsite over another should not be construed to mean that 

 NOAA advocates ocean dumping or supports its use unconditional- 



We have stated in past years that our findings showed sewage 

 sludge disposal to contribute only a small percentage to the total 

 contaminant loading of bight waters, and that a truly long-term so- 

 lution to the problem of marine environmental quality in this 

 region could be achieved by development and implementation of a 

 comprehensive, regional waste management strategy. This strategy 

 could include reduction of wastes at their sources, as well as other 

 Federal and State environmental management measures such as 

 pretreatment, pollutant discharge permit requirements, and con- 

 trols on combined sewer overflows. 



We continue to believe that a comprehensive regional strategy of 

 this kind is desirable, but we also believe that improvement of con- 

 ditions in the bight need not await implementation of such a plan. 



There are two basic reasons for this position: One, we believe 

 that enforcement of existing laws and regulations will continue to 

 improve measurably environmental conditions in the bight; and, 

 two, a decision to cease dumping at the 12-mile site would help to 

 upgrade the quality of bight waters, sediments, and biota. 



Mr. D' Amours. I have to stop you at this point, Mr. Ehler. We 

 have a recorded vote pending with about 8 minutes remaining, and 

 you do have a little left to to go in your testimony. 



We will suspend so that Members may make this recorded vote 

 on approving the Journal. It's not terribly vital to the Nation's 

 future, but most Members like to make these things to keep their 

 batting averages up. 



We will resume right after this vote. I intend to come right back. 



[Recess.] 



