79 



Such a reduction in the Yellowfin Tuna Quota would very severely damage 

 the fleet's opportunity to remain economically viable for the remainder of 

 11>77. 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 U.S. 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 flet provides almost half of all 

 tuna consumed in the U.S. and 89 percent of all U.S. tuna landings. 



CONCLUSION 



It is our opinion, the present administration of the Marinee Mammal Pro- 

 tection Act, as interpreted by the Federal courts, will destroy the most im- 

 portant 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 1076, 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, statements filed by the government, 

 industry and nonindustry experts in the recent administrative law judge hear- 

 ings and in the Federal courts since May 1076 support this conclusion. 



We also believe that the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as presently ad- 

 ministered, is causing and will accelerate further removals of the few, large 

 ocean-going fishing vessels this nation has flying its flag in competition with 

 foreign fleets in the tropical latitudes of the world's oceans. 



Recently, I reviewed statistical tables prepared by the Shipping Information 

 Services of Lloyds Register of London Press Limited. 3 This subcommittee 

 should know that of the 195 U.S. fishing vessels of ocean-going size (45 meters 

 in length and over) most of them are U.S. tuna vessels, and that of the 148 

 U.S. fishing vessels of 500 gross tons and over, almost all of them are U.S. 

 tuna purse seiners. Thus, a forced transfer and sale of the U.S. tuna seine 

 fleet for purposes of economic survival will effectively remove this country's 

 most modern and efficient high seas fishing fleet. 



We urge this subcommittee to reverse the destructive and doomsday course 

 set by the Marine Mammal Protection Act for both the porpoise and the U.S. 

 tuna fishery. We plead for an application of common sense to the problems 

 created by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This Act must be amended so 

 as to provide that the fishermen of this country shall fish in accordance with 

 a realistic and constructive management regime for both fish and mammals. 



Thank you. 



Mr. Leggett. Thank you very much. Mr. Felando. 



That is very helpful for the committee. 



Restated, what you have indicated is that approximately 120.000 

 tons of tuna caught by the American fleet is caught in a situation 

 with porpoise and assuming that Ave catch perhaps another per- 

 centage, probably 30 percent of all of the tuna that is consumed 

 in the United States is caught in association with porpoise, either 

 caught by Americans or caught by foreigners is something like that? 



Mr. Felando. Yes. sir. 



- Lloyds reported that there wore 5,068 vessels In the ■world'; fishing fleet that were of 

 '< meters In length and over, and :i,200 vessels that were of 500 gross register tons and 



T or 



4 

 over 



