68 



Whal emerges clearly to the U.S. purse seine tuna fishery which 

 will be adversely affected by the proposed 1977 quota and particularly 

 by the accompanying prohibition of fishing yellowfin in association 

 with mixed schools of porpoise, art 1 these things: 



First, knowledge <>f populations is in the early period of develop- 

 ment . hut is progressing. 



Second, over conservatism — virtually certain estimates — is used to 

 set quotas, 



Third, time is needed to develop more useful knowledge, although 

 progressive improvement in porpoise mortality should be expected in 

 that time. 



Fourth, the U.S. fleet must be kept operating as the surest and only 

 major source of developing data in that time. 



Fifth, it is possible to maintain a viable U.S. fishery and to reduce 

 porpoise mortality at the same time. 



v. the law : 



The purpose of the law as it relates to porpoises is that mortality 

 be reduced to the lowest practicable level as quickly and effectively 

 as possible. 



Hearings records show that it was not the intent of the law to: 

 (1) Stop tuna fishing: (2) Eliminate the fishery: (3) Force removal 

 of the industry; (4) Give control to the judiciary: and (5) Set im- 

 possible immediate goals. 



Naively, the fishery expected we would enter into a period of re- 

 search and improvement in methods to reduce porpoise mortality on 

 a cooperative and progressive basis and that progress in terms of 

 reduced mortality rates would meet the criteria. 



The fishery did not reckon with those forces who demanded that a 

 solution be found immediately, urging that this was the intent of the 

 law. 



Now we need to change the law on a commonsense basis to the 

 extent that it not only requires measureable results in reduced por- 

 poise mortality but that it recognizes that this can only be done if the 

 U.S. fleet has the legal right to fish tuna in association with porpoise, 

 subject to safeguards. 



vi. conclusion : 



The U.S. tuna fishery has worked cooperatively with and contrib- 

 uted much to scientific invest igations of the tuna populations for 

 many years. Without this cooperative work by the fleet, knowledge. 

 available to the world, would not be far advanced. These stocks are 

 in good condition. 



The economic life of the purse seine vessel depends upon the preser- 

 vation of porpoise populations. The contribution to knowledge in the 

 field is in major part a result of the interest and contribution by the 

 vessels in individual and cooperative research. The imposition of 

 excessive rest7-ictions upon the U.S. fleet which affect its ability to 

 operate will eliminate what is by far the largest contribution to and 

 means of conducting research. 



