165 



I believe we can achieve both of those standards. We have got 

 some things that we can relate to in the meantime. I hope we can 

 focus on the precise problems that preclude us from achieving these 

 mutual objectives at the present time. As I understand it, the courts 

 are working on this matter. 



Griffin Bell has addressed himself to the court, and has asked for 

 some interim relief. And if that is possible, and if that relief is prac- 

 tical, so be it. But we do have a responsibility at the legislative side, 

 and we intend to discharge our responsibilities also, although ob- 

 viously, in this area, we don't want to overlegislate. 



I don't want to put my colleagues in the position of either being 

 profisherman or proenvironmentalist because I don't think we need 

 to choose, because I think we can achieve the best of both worlds. 

 That is my word. 



So let us take the regulations as promulgated, and I have not read 

 them specifically. But as I understand, your regulations envision for 

 the 1977 fishing season, as and when the regulations become, in fact, 

 operative, which as I understand now is the end of April at best, 

 which is one problem I want to address. To what extent do you 

 envision a 100-percent observer program on boats over 400 tons'? 



Dr. White. Our present plans, Mr. Chairman, for the implemen- 

 tation of the 1977 regulations, envision 43 percent of the trips having 

 observers on them. That is, 130 vessels for the remainder of the year 

 after the regulations are in effect and permits granted. This is a step 

 up from last year. We are stepping up from 10 to 15 percent of all 

 trips, to about 43 percent of all trips. 



Mr. Leggett. That is to the extent that you have observers trained 

 and available, or money to pay for them? 



Dr. White. That is correct. 



The present authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection 

 Act limits us. The President has gone to the Congress with a request 

 for a supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 1977 for an addi- 

 tional 1.1 million dollars to enable us to put these additional ob- 

 servers on this year. 



Mr. Leggett. How much money do you have at the present time? 



Dr. White. About $3,445 million. 



Mr. Leggett. So you have then $1.43 million available for observers 

 for the balance of the current fishing season in 1977? 



Dr. White. Only if the committee increases the authorization we 

 get the supplemental. 



Mr. Leggett. You need a new law by this committee? 



Dr. White. We need the authorization increased. In fact, the 

 authorization expires this year. 



Mr. Leggett. Have you presented a draft copy of the bill to this 

 committee ? 



Mr. Brewer. It is part of our legislative program. You may not 

 have it yet. 



Mr. Leggett. All right. Let us get that bill up here, because this 

 committee, I think, fully supports an observer program to the maxi- 

 mum extent feasible. 



That would envision how many observers? 



Dr. White. It would be 130 trips. 



