270 



Tin- problem is that the fishermen believe that the problem can be solved by 

 continuing research ana continuing Improvement m tuning techniques ana 

 euueucion. fcinvironinentaliuts beueve it can be solved uuiueaiateiy or very 

 rapidly inrotigii multiple restrictions placed upon the Lnited Stales fieet. 



a continuing part Of the problem is that an unyielding segment of the en- 

 vironuientaiists movement apparently does not believe that the tuna-porpoise 

 prouieui can be resolved except through the dissolution of the' purse seine 

 turnery by prohibiting the fishing of tuna in association with porpoise. This aoes 

 not balance the interests of mammal ana man as the Congress intended. 



II. THE INDUSTRY 



The archives are full of data on the fishery and its importance in United 

 States fisheries as well as the importance of tuna processing and all related 

 support industries. This will not be repeated here. 



The fishery represents the great majority of California's domestic landed 

 value, nearly all that of Puerto liico and some of that in American Samoa. 

 There are landing in other areas. 



Canned tuna overwhelmingly leads United States canned fish volume and 

 value. 



Thousands of persons are dependent upon the industry for employment in 

 catching and processing tuna and by-products as well as in the entire range of 

 activities from vessel building to final sale of tuna and by-products. This is well 

 understood. 



What is not understood by many is the vast area covered by the normal 

 fishing operations of the United States purse seine fleet — about 6 million square 

 miles of the Pacific Ocean and increasing. To this we have to add the countless 

 miles fished by United States flag vessels which last year fished in the areas 

 adjacent to Guam, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and 

 West Africa. The Act itself covers the world wherever a United States flag 

 vessel operates. 



Also not understood by many is that in the vast area there is an enormous 

 problem of determining population levels and that this can only be progressively 

 determined by operation of the United States purse seine fleet. There is agree- 

 ment that there is insufficient knowledge, yet interpretation of the present law 

 forces findings on a speculative basis under enormous pressure and on a 

 limited data base that can only be expanded by the very vessels that are being 

 severely restricted. 



III. PRESENT SITUATION 



Uncertainty and confusion have been the dominant conditions in the industry. 

 We can now add paralysis as a condition. We have faced many problems and 

 fought them through to a conclusion that permitted continuance and expansion 

 through development of a climate where investment capital was forthcoming. 

 This time it is fair to say we do not know where we are going. The last court 

 decision denying permission to fish on tuna associated with porpoise clearly 

 fixed a climate of economic futility. 



National Marine Fisheries Service has prepared an Impact Analysis of 

 Proposed Rules which measures the distress in dismal detail. This is a view 

 of where we are headed. 



Nine vessels of our company fishing in the Eastern Tropical Pacific produced 

 60 percent fewer tons of tuna this year compared to the same 10 week period 

 in 1976. This amounts to a revenue loss of about $3,000,000 based on current 

 prices. 



If the vessels cannot sail until mid April, no further production is possible 

 and the revenue loss will have grown to .$5,200,000 for the vessels by that time.' 



Sailing in mid April would mean no revenue to the vessel or pay checks to 

 the crews until July. 



Measures of the uncertainty and confusion are found in the twenty or more 

 legal, administrative and other proceedings concerning tuna and porpoises in 

 which the industry has been or is engaged in the last year. There is no end 

 in sight. 



The most recent series of hearings before an Administrative Law Judge 

 filled 3.301 pages of testimony taken from any and all persons or groups hav- 

 ing an interest in the matter. The decision of the Administrative Law Judge 

 recommended a quota over 3 times greater than that originally proposed by 



