287 



Mr. Gehringer. Yes, sir. 



This amount, if appropriated, would bring our spending under the 

 act to the $4,559 million level for fiscal year 1977 and would enable 

 us to place an observer onboard each large tuna purse seiner operating 

 under our jurisdiction for at least one voyage during the remainder 

 of calendar year 1977. 



Since sections 110(c) and 114(a) authorize only $3,667 million 

 for fiscal year 1977, an increase in that total authorization is re- 

 quested as a predicate for the supplemental appropriation. 



Accordingly, to cover all known needs for fiscal year 1977, includ- 

 ing bringing under the Marine Mammal Protection Act certain ma- 

 rine mammal activities which we have been carrying out under au- 

 thorizations contained in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and 

 the Fur Seal Act of 1966, a total authorization of $5.5 million is 

 requested. For fiscal year 1978, a total authorization of $7 million 

 will be required. 



H.R. 4740, introduced by Chairman Leggett and Mr. Forsythe, 

 would amend section 114(a) to authorize $8 million for fiscal year 

 1977 and $10 million for fiscal year 1978 for the Department of 

 Commerce, as well as to amend sections 110(c), 114(b) and 207 to 

 authorize certain amounts for the Department of the Interior and 

 the Marine Mammal Commission. 



While we have not had a sufficient opportunity to anlyze the 

 level of funding proposed in the bill with respect to the total Fed- 

 eral budget, in view of our own projected needs for fiscal 1978, based 

 on the current situation, it would appear that the levels are in ex- 

 cess of our current needs. 



In asking for an increased authorization of this magnitude on an 

 urgent basis, I do not wish to create the impression that our needs 

 are solely tuna-porpoise problem related, although our experience in 

 that arena has provided some harsh lessons on the difficulty of im- 

 plementing programs when both current and past marine mammal 

 population data are difficult and costly to determine. 



Several other problem areas require our early attention, and I 

 would like to supply some examples as broad indications of why we 

 feel increased funding authorization is needed for the next few 

 years. 



We need to know more about the increasing competition of ma- 

 rine mammals with fishermen for fishery resources in areas where 

 mammal populations reportedly are increasing in a significant 

 fashion. Similarly, we need better and more refined data concerning 

 incidental catch of marine mammals in fisheries other than for 

 yellowfin tuna. 



With the Marine Mammal Commission we are initiating efforts in 

 both of these areas, and must anticipate additional funding require- 

 ments as our data needs become clearer. 



In other major areas we are currently working with the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service and the Marine Mammal Commission to improve 

 our ability to implement this act. These are establishment of a jomt 

 Marine Mammal Marking Center and combined efforts to streamline 

 and insure compatability in permit and enforcement approaches. 



