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suggestion that ways bo developed to guide porpoises out of the net before 

 backdown, to be used in emergencies when broken winches or other delays 

 allow the net to start collapsing. I would like to apply my trainer's eye to 

 totally naive animals in the nets, because we have special techniques in 

 captivity for handling panicky porpoises which might be applicable. I want 

 id observe band-release Of animals that do get entangled, if only to pass on 

 what, trainers know aboul not handling a porpoise where it is ticklish. We 

 need to continue looking at long-range notions for separating and netting tuna 

 without encircling the porpoises at all. And as consultant to the Porpoise 

 Rescue Foundation I hope to contribute whatever advice I can on industry- 

 wide training of net-handling and porpoise handling techniques. 



Mr. Mulligan. I would appreciate it, since I do not intend to read 

 it, but would like it to appear in the record. 



Karen Prior has a statement to make, and also Frank Alverson, 

 with the Living Marine Resources. Karen Prior is a marine be- 

 havioral scientist, a consultant to the Porpoise Rescue Foundation. 



Mr. Chairman, if I may, I will introduce myself. 



I am John P. Mulligan. I am president and chairman of the Board 

 of Porpoise Rescue Foundation, San Diego, Calif. 



I am also executive director of the Tuna Research Foundation, 

 Terminal Island, Calif. 



The Porpoise Rescue Foundation, as you know, was formed in 

 December 1975, to promote and support research studies, educa- 

 tion, training and activities relating to a reduction of porpoise mor- 

 tality and serious injury in the course of commercial fishing for 

 yellowfin tuna. 



I testified before regarding the format of the foundation, how it is 

 structured and how we operate. Frank Alverson will be able to ad- 

 dress for you and the committee members just exactly what the 

 programs were in 1976. and the success of the research programs. 



I think the record of the Porpoise Rescue Foundation's activities 

 and results to date demonstrate effectively, in my opinion, the 

 leadership and the fiscal commitment of the industry to this pro- 

 gram. Specifically, the industry has committed itself to implement- 

 ing an ambitious program for 1977 to include: 



(1) $1.7 million is dedicated to a massive gear experimentation 

 of the fine-mesh systems tested in 1976; 



(2) $351,000 of direct industry contributions to continue coopera- 

 tive observer programs with the NMFS, gear orientation and experi- 

 mentation work, fleet education programs, behavioral studies, and 

 other scientific and biological work. 



Finally, the dedication of a tuna vessel to porpoise research in 

 1977, with the parameters, including such matters as pre-backdown 

 release methods, tagging and tracking research, differential mortality 

 studies involving age and sex surveys, numbers and verification of 

 counts for porpoise, area distribution and other factors; and a crew 

 training program. 



I believe that the Porpoise Rescue Foundation has made and will 

 continue to make significant contributions to the resolution to the 

 tuna/porpoise problem. 



At this time, Mr. Chairman, if I may have Karen Pryor, who 

 joined the research cruise of the Elizabeth G.J., give you and the 

 committee her observations and comments. Frank Alverson is also 



