227 



Mr. Alverson. Last year, 1976. 



Mr. Legoett. Sorry about that. 



That would be last year. 



Now, I said 29 dots. 



Mr. Alverson. Yes. 



Mr. Leggett. Now, those were either mixed schools or all spinner, 

 is that right? 



Mr. Alverson. They were either mixed spotter or there could be 

 some pure eastern — although if memory serves me right, most of 

 those were in mixed combinations. 



Mr. Leggett. Now, that was 29. 



Now, what total number of porpoise schools did those observers 

 observe in that area? 



Mr. Alverson. That, I could not tell you. 



One would have to go back to the original information. 



All I can tell you is, that in 1976 outside the line approximately 

 12 percent of the yellowfin were taken on schools of spotters with 

 mixed eastern spinners. 



Mr. Leggett. Twelve percent ? 



Mr. Alverson. Eastern spinners — about 11 percent. 



Mr. Leggett. Inside the line what percentage are taken? 



Mr. Alverson. That, I do not know. But I would hazard a guess 

 that of the tunas taken in association with porpoise on inside, it 

 must have been closer to 35 percent or so. 



It varies from year to year and without definite numbers I hesi- 

 tate to make an estimate. 



Mr. Leggett. Do you have any information to contradict the esti- 

 mate that Dr. Fox gave? 



Mr. Alverson. Dr. Fox and I are both using the same source of 

 data. 



I do not quibble one bit with Dr. Fox's numbers. 



I think he averaged inside and outside for spinners. But other 

 than that 



Mr. Leggett. If he averaged inside and outside, he found 23 per- 

 cent. 



Mr. Alverson. That is correct. 



Mr. Leggett. That is 23 percent of the taking on porpoise. 



Mr. Alverson. Correct. 



Mr. Leggett. Well, only 70 percent of the yellowfin catch is taken 

 on porpoise and if yellowfin taken is only 70 percent of all the 

 taking, then you come out with setting on spinners is 10 percent of 

 the total take. 



Mr. Alverson. Yes. 



If you take 30 to 60,000 jobs in the tuna industry, and it is prob- 

 ably less than two-tenths of 1 percent of all employment in the 

 United States and would you discard it? The whole industry? Let 

 me point out that in certain areas, and at certain times, the quantity 

 of spinners involved is much higher than 10 percent you are trying 

 to average out. 



Let me give you a case. 



We come here at several hearings, and we have talked about a 

 vessel called the Elizabeth C.J., rather a famous ship. 



