31 



(RANN) Directorate of the National Science Foundation, the Na- 

 tional Fisheries Service, and the tuna industry's Porpoise Rescue 

 Foundation. This research cruise was conducted in October through 

 December last year. 



I had hoped*that Dr. Norris would be able to be here today with me 

 to report on the conduct and results of the cruise but he has not been 

 able to be here because of conflicts in his schedule. I can, however, 

 summarize the encouraging results of this cruise. Some 30,000 por- 

 poises were captured in the course of catching 915.5 tons of yellowfin 

 tuna. In only 5 of the 45 sets was there any porpoise mortality, and 

 only four deaths could be attributed to regular fishing operations. 

 This is a mortality rate of .004 per ton of tuna caught, which com- 

 pares extremely favorably with the approximately one or more deaths 

 per ton of tuna taken in the past year under normal operations. 



Mr. Leggett. That is the target set by the Marine Mammal Act. 



Mr. Chapman. That is correct ; 0.004 porpoises per ton of tuna is an 

 insignificant rate approaching zero. 



Mr. Leggett. So the natural question arises, why cannot the target 

 be achieved for everybody ? 



Mr. Chapman. Well, I will speak to that in just a moment, Mr. 

 Chairman, if I may. 



The low mortality was achieved as a result of many factors — the 

 care taken by the skilled captain and crew, the super apron they used, 

 and the double depth safety panel of one and a quarter inch mesh. The 

 use of a small inflatable raft by a man with a snorkel to direct the 

 backdown operation until all porpoises had been released was also an 

 important factor. 



It became more generally known that some porpoises exhibit so- 

 called sleeper behavior. They sink down and rest for a while before 

 rising back up to the surface. The research cruise demonstrated that 

 continuing the backdown operation, until these sleeper animals come 

 to the surface and pass out of the net, allows these animals which 

 would otherwise probably die to be rescued. 



Mr. Leggett. Now, you did not mention time periods. Would you 

 say that the time that is taken by the Elisabeth C.J. in backdown and 

 recovery is different than the normal tuna boat time that is taken for 

 backdown? 



Mr. Chapman. I believe it would be, though I do not have adequate 

 records on the regular operation, but generally I believe that those 

 who are involved in this research think that is correct. 



Mr. Leggett. Of course, the statistics were all gathered, as I under- 

 stand it, during relatively calm weather. 



Mr. Chapman. I think they had favorable weather conditions, and 

 I think it is one of the reasons to continue the efforts begun on the 

 Elizabeth C.J. research cruise. We must determine what problems 

 arise under other situations and the extent to which the successful 

 techniques used on the Elizabeth CJ. are transferable to other vessels 

 and conditions. I will be coming to that in just a moment. 



A cruise report has just been sent to all certificate holders, and we 

 just received a report on the aspects of the cruise. Those reports will 

 be made available for the record. 



