tuna was about 204,000 tons. For L977, the IATTC scientists stall' 

 can establish a quota of 210,000 tons for the CYKA. It also has the 

 authority to restrict the quota to L75$0Q Ions or a lower amount. 



In L976, the yellowfin tuna closed season commenced on March 26: 

 in L975, tlio closure dale was March 1*. It is very reasonable to 



assume thai the IATTC 1 will establish a closure date for the yellow- 

 lin tuna season prior to the dale when the ATA will he issued its 

 general permit by \.\IFS. Such an occurrence would cause enormous 



damage to the V.S. tuna fleet. 



Based upon reports made to the IATTC and also to the TJ.S. Com- 

 missioners to the IATTC. we believe that it is unite possible for the 

 IATTC to reduce the size of the 1077 yellowfin tuna quota from 

 210.000 tons to a lower quota. 



This action could be justified on the grounds stated in such reports, 

 namely, that the unilateral action of the U.S. in prohibiting the 

 f i - h i ] l <r of tuna associated with porpoise has placed in jeopardy the 

 objectives of a yellowfin tuna conservation program that has been 

 in existence since 1966. Such a reduction in the yellowfin tuna quota 

 would very severely damage the fleet's opportunity to remain eco- 

 nomically viable for the remainder of 1077. Also, the reduced quota 

 action by the IATTC would absolutely guarantee a closure date prior 

 to the issuance of the general permit to the ATA. 



Representations have been continually made to this committee and 

 the courts that fishing tuna in association with porpoise constitutes 

 only a small percentage of tuna consumed in the United States. This 

 is a false and misleading assertion. 



It is now abundantly clear that the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act, as now administered, threatens the economic survival of the 

 U.S. purse seine fleet. As we have stated earlier, this U.S. purse 

 seine fleet provides almost half of all tuna consumed in the United 

 States and 89 percent of all United States tuna landings. 



Conclusion: It is our opinion, the present administration of the 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act. as interpreted by the Federal 

 Courts, will destroy the most important supplier of tuna to the U.S. 

 consumer— the U.S. tuna purse seine fleet. 



Each year, the average catch of tuna associated with porpoise by 

 this fleet represents 60-82 percent of the annual domestic landings 

 of yellowfin tuna. For 1976. about 120,000 tons or over one-third of 

 the* total catch of the purse seine fleet was tuna caught in association 

 with porpoise. For some vessels, the 1076 catch of tuna associated 

 with porpoise represented almost 100 percent of their landings, for 

 other vessels such catch represented a small percentage. 



In addition, this dependence for each vessel will vary from year 

 to year. Nevertheless, it is clear that the revenue derived from the 

 catch of tuna associated with porpoise is absolutely necessary to the 

 economic survival of the fleet. The many reports, affidavits, state- 

 ments filed by the Government, industry and nonindustry experts 

 in the recent administrative law judge hearings and in the Federal 

 courts since May 1076 support this conclusion. 



We also believe that the Marine Mammal Protection Act. as 

 presently administered, is causing and will accelerate further re- 

 movals of the few, large oceangoing fishing vessels this Nation has 

 flying its flag in competition with foreign fleets in the tropical lati- 

 tudes of the world's oceans. 



