



Hold Contender and the Elizabeth C.J., will be put in perspective for 

 us today, which may offer some light at the end of a very black 

 tunnel. 



It does appear that a combination of refined Medina panels in the 

 nets using the smaller mesh aprons, the presence of crew members in 

 the nets to assist porpoise in escaping from the nets, and in guiding 

 the backdown and the net hauling can markedly reduce porpoise 

 mortality. 



Figures demonstrating the wide disparity in records of various 

 vessels and crews with respect to mortality per set definitely indicates 

 an area of meaningful payoff for both porpoises and the good crews. 



I think we do have some options here, including possible legislative 

 ones. Although there is no legislation before this committee today. 



I believe, with Professor Norris of the University of California at 

 Santa Cruz, that "regulations should be revamped to reward the best 

 boats for their porpoise saving prowess in the currency they know 

 best — the chance to fish." 



I am personally no more committed to abandoning either this most 

 important American fishery, nor the porpoises whose conservation 

 and welfare are in our charge. Again, like Dr. Norris, I think — 



There is hope for both the porpoise and the U.S. tuna fishery. P.ut, while 

 better ways of catching tuna and saving porpoises are being evolved into policy 

 or science, let's not trap ourselves into a corner nobody wants to occupy — the 

 one where the porpoises and the fishery are both lost. 



So that is an extensive statement, but unfortunately it is one that 

 we had to make to bring us reasonably current and up to date today, 

 and we hope to have a balanced hearing today, and if anybody, at 

 any time, does not think that our hearing is balanced, please raise 

 your hand, and you will be recognized for a point of order. 



We thought it fair to commence the hearings today with Govern- 

 ment witnesses, and perhaps it might be well, before we start the 

 witnesses, that we hear from the chairman of the full committee. 



I call on Chairman Murphy. 



The Chairman. Thank you. Congressman Leggett, and I would 

 like to express my gratitude for your moving so quickly at this time 

 into the conflict between the American tuna fishing industry and con- 

 servationist groups over the killing of dolphins which is cast in the 

 classic pattern of the last 5 years. 



On the one hand, conservationists are seeking to curb or bring to a 

 halt an economic activity that is threatening an important element of 

 the environment — in this case, a marine mammalian species. 



And on the other, the industry points out that it is performing an 

 essential function — providing employment and contributing to the 

 stability and growth of the American economy — and should not be 

 sacrificed for environmental considerations. 



As we all know, the tuna fishing industry does not kill dolphins for 

 themselves. Yellowfin tuna cluster near dolphins, and the dolphins are 

 killed incidental to the catching of tuna. Conservationist groups de- 

 mand that tuna fishermen immediately stop killing dolphins even if 

 it means drastic, curtailment or complete cessation of fishing. 



The tuna fishing industry, which is the single largest segment of 

 the American commercial fishing industry, as a whole, argues that 



