1S6 



Dr. White. I do not know how much time has been set aside, 

 probably half an hour. 



Mr. Leogett. "We have room 1334 at 2 o'clock, so why do we not 

 adjourn at this point and reconvene in room 1334 at 2 o'clock. That 

 is our regular committee room. And if anybody has any questions 

 that they want me to propound to any of the witnesses, present them 

 in due course to the Chair and we will see that they are propounded, 

 and that might be a little bit easier than having questions asked 

 from the audience. 



The committee will stand adjourned. 



[Whereupon, at 12:02 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, to recon- 

 vene at 2 p.m., the same day.] 



AFTERNOON SESSION 



Mr. Leggett. The meeting of the subcommittee on Fish and Wild- 

 life will please come back to order. 



Under our rules we can hold these hearings when two or more 

 members are present. It appears that two or more members are 

 present. 



The Chair will state that during our morning sessions, allegations 

 were made by one distinguished member of this committee that de- 

 graded some of the major participants in this hearing, and I would 

 say that is not particularly healthy. I believe we all know what the 

 situation is with respect to the reports by observers, and reports by 

 nonobserver crews. We know very well the numbers are different. 

 The numbers are not six to one, but they are different. 



I don't believe it will be helpful to anyone to engage in an ex- 

 tended debate as to the veracity of statements made which appar- 

 ently are not relied upon in the calculations made by the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service, so I am going to deem the allegations made 

 by my colleague in that respect are completely denied for the pur- 

 poses of this hearing, and we will then proceed to review in this 

 hearing only the matters which are succinct and probative and help- 

 ful in reaching conclusions which we are all after. 



So, let me see, when we adjourned we were right up to the point 

 where I was going to ask you, Dr. White, a question. 



You have indicated that you have attempted to promulgate regu- 

 lations which you now admit might be inconsistent among them- 

 selves. The Chair has its own view about that, but you have indi- 

 cated that you have attempted to promulgate regulations to the very 

 best of your ability within the framework of the law, and pass regu- 

 lations and judicial interpretations as you and your staff know it? 



Dr. White. That is correct, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Leggett. That is where we are. 



Now the question is, are you satisfied with the current state of the 

 industry and the porpoise as a result of the promulgation of those 

 regulations? 



Dr. White. No ; I am not satisfied on both grounds. 



Mr. Leggett. All right, Dr. White. 



The question is, would you be more satisfied with a modification 

 ©f the law? 



