220 



I think that the remarks that were made this morning, I think a 



public apology is required 



Mr. Leggett. The fact remains that when we calculate the amount 

 of porpoise taken per year, we do not go around and get all logbooks 

 and add the numbers'. We do extrapolate the greater incidence in 

 the observer data and this has been going on for a large number of 

 years. 



Your industry is not subjected to that. 



So, as a practical matter, T think the question is a relatively 

 moot 



Mr. Felaxdo. The fact is, industry knows, and I think everyone 

 knows, that it is the Government data that is relied upon. 



Let me go to something else. 



Mr. Legoftt. As long as we understand that, nobody is being mis- 

 led by any figures or anything else. 



Mr. Felaxdo. I want to talk about the status or the fleet now. 



The season started on January 1, the fleet has to compete with the 

 vessels of 11 or 12 other countries on a first-come-first-serve basis 

 with respect to the take of yellowfin. 



I am just using the figures now of the members of the American 

 Tunaboat Association for 101 vessels out of 138 to 140 are really 

 involved. 



Based on our figures, the capacity of this fleet that was out at sea 

 or roughly 77 vessels out at sea at the time, if they all came in with 

 a full load of fish, they would have 68,765 tons of fish. 



These vessels are entering the ports of San Diego principally, 

 and Puerto Rico, and San Pedro, and the amount of fish they have 

 on board is about 23.045 tons, the total amount of fish. 



I want to go into that 



Mr. Legoett. As of what date is that? 



Mr. Felaxdo. As of Tuesday afternoon. 



Mr. Leggett. March 1, 23,045 tons delivered at all three ports? 



Mr. Felaxdo. I made this computation on the basis of a running 

 log that we have made, we have at the association. 



What I am saying is that our vessels have roughly a little better 

 than one-third of their capacity with fish aboard. 



Mr. Leggett. Does that include less than 400 tons, too? 



Mr. Felaxdo. Every one. 



Mr. Leggett. Every one? 



Mr. Felaxdo. Every one in this fleet, and includes vessels of less 

 than 400 tons. 



Mr. Leggett. All of these 140 ships, though, are over 400 tons, are 

 they not? 



Mr. Felaxdo. No. 



Mr. Leggett. Some are not? 



Mr. Felaxdo. There are about 113 vessels, and — of the 140, of that, 

 well, are over 400 tons capacity. 



Mr. Chairman, I want to repeat, this represents our fleet. In fact, 

 we think other vessels or nonmembers are doing worse. 



Mr. Leggett. Worse? 



Mr. Felaxdo. That is right. 



We had 61 vessels that departed in January 1977. 



