71 



Now we need to change the law on a common souse hasis to the extent that 

 it not only requires measure:! hie results in reduced porpoise mortality but that 

 it recognizes that this can only he done if the United States fleet has the legal 

 right to fish tuna in association with porpoise, subject to safeguards. 



VI. CONCLUSION 



The United States tuna fishery has worked cooperatively with and con- 

 tributed much to scientific investigations of the tuna populations for many years. 

 Without this cooperative work by the fleet, knowledge, available to the world, 

 would not he far advanced. These stocks are in good condition. 



The economic life of the purse seine vessel depends upon the preservation 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 restrictions upon the United 

 States fleet which affect its ability to operate will eliminate what is by far the 

 largest contribution to and means of conducting research. 



It is clear that there is no such thing as instant knowledge or instant 

 science — in fisheries or elsewhere. 



Progress and improvement — ability and determination are the things that, 

 count. The industry record shows that all these elements are present and 

 provide the means to the best possible solution in the real world. 



We need the help of this Committee to restore some sanity to a nightmarish 

 situation. 



Mr. Leggett. Let me see, Mr. Edney, do 3-011 want to give your 

 statement at this point? 



That might be helpful and then we will have Mr. Felando. 



Mr. Edney, it is nice to have you back. 



Mr. Edney. Thank you. 



My name is Steve Edney, and I would like to correct the record 

 that shows an incorrect speling of my name. 



My name is spelled E-d-n-e-y. 



I am president of United Cannery and Industrial Workers, AFL- 



CIO. 



We represent some 9,000 members in California, Puerto Rico, and 



American Samoa. 



We are frustrated and outraged by the pace with which NOVA is 

 is moving on the permits as far as tunahsh canneries are concerned ; 

 frustrated because when we spoke to you last year, we told you of 

 some of the dire predictions of what would happen to the industry. 



Some of this is becoming all too true sorrily. 



In Puerto Rico, one large cannery has laid off the night-shift. 



This is attributed to lack of fish.'We are haying small problems in 

 the canneries in California, of people being laid off. 



I wonder if the people who hold the destiny and the hopes of our 

 members in their hands, I wonder if that—if the conditions were 

 reversed, if the pace would be as slow as it is here. 



I feel that they can move much faster on this problem. 



There is no reason why we should be talking about April on the 

 issue of permits. 



It should have been done in January. 



I think one of the things they can do is attempt to show the people 

 of this Nation that their concern is to get on with the job of issuing 

 those permits and if it is necessary to burn the midnight oil, they 

 should do it. 



