In addition, some 8,000 feet of film are beinfi carefully analyzed by 

 I)i-. Norris and Si tint/., under contract with the Commission, to gain 

 further insight into tuna-porpoise behavior. 



A research workshop has been scheduled for February 28, March 

 1 and -\ This workshop will be jointly sponsored by the Commission 

 and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Participants in the work- 

 I) will review recent research efforts and discuss research plans for 

 11)77. The further re iearch for l'->77. to a large degree, .•enters on the 

 dedicated I that has been the subject of discussion between the 



Murine Mammal Commission and the tuna industry for some time. 

 The industry pledged funds for a dedicated vessel at the previous 

 oversight hearings, and also hi the course of the hearings that were 

 held by the administrative law judge in connection with the 1077 

 regulations. 



A task force has been set up to develop plans for research aboard 



that vessel on various aspects of the problem in 1077. The task force 



has representation from the Commission, from the National Marine 



Fisheries Service, and from the Porpoise Rescue Foundation and 



•others. 



The Commission has recommended that a person be named to the 

 position of scientific manager as soon as possible to direct the research 

 efforts, and we have agreed to fund the costs of the position as soon 

 as the industry has made a final commitment that there will, in fact, 

 be a dedicated vessel available. We have entered into negotiations on 

 this particular subject, and we are waiting for the final decisions by 

 the tuna industry. 



With respect "to the problem of possible transfer of T'.S.-rlag ves- 

 sels to foreign flags, the Commission has written to the Maritime 

 Administration expressing its concern and recommending that appli- 

 cations for transfer be denied or that a bond be required To insure 

 that the transferred vessel will adhere to U.S. reiruktions if it was 

 transferred. As yet, we have not had a reply from the Maritime 

 Administration. 



In addition, we have been involved in correspondence and discus- 

 sions with the staff of the Secretary of State with respect to the 

 placement of observers on foreign vessels, in order to get better data 

 on the kill on foreign flag vessels, and hopefully to meet the problem 

 that you have already referred to, Mr. Chairman, of how to insure 

 that foreign vessels are in fact fishing in accordance with U.S. 

 standards. 



We have been pleased to learn that the National Marine Fisheries 

 Service intends to apply Saltonstall-Kennedy funds to meet expenses 

 for the observer program. As you know, the Commission recom- 

 mended that SK funds be applied to the tuna-porpoise problem some 

 time ago. That recommendation has been under consideration by the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service, We are pleased to learn that they 

 have now determined that they will be able to use those funds for that 

 purpose. Saltonstall-Kennedy funds should be applied to support the 

 various activities that are necessary to solve this particular problem. 



That concludes my statement, Mr. Chairman. I will be glad to an- 

 swer any questions, with the help of Mr. Eisenbud, that you or any 

 member of the committee may have. 



