301 



in this bill, and yet, from previous testimony, we know that you 

 will make one pass over the ocean, and observe .0001, and I am being 

 generous, of the ocean surface in this area, and you will then project 

 from that the number of various kinds of porpoise that are out 

 there. 



Is it not rather obvious that you could use extra money to observe 

 .0002 or .0003 of the ocean, and get all that much more reliable data 

 to give to this committee, and to us as a base to promulgate your 

 regulations ? 



Mr. Ehringer. I think there is always the opportunity to better 

 use the dollars we have, plus use additional dollars to get better 

 data. I think that is without question. But at this present time we 

 feel that our 1977 and 1978 needs can be met. 



Mr. Leggett. All right. 



I think if that is all the questions the members have, that is all 

 we have for the moment, and it is very helpful to the committee. 



Thank you. 



Mr. Leggett. All right, is Secretary Milias here ? 



All right, Mr. Secretary, nice to have you back before the com- 

 mittee so soon, and we have got your formal statement which you 

 have prepared to support, at least I believe you do. 



Yes ; your statement of seven pages will be included in our record 

 at this point. 



[The statement follows:] 



Statement of George W. Milias, Deputy Director, United States Fish and 

 Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior 



Mr. Chairman, I appreciate this opportunity to appear here today. The 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act provides for a Federal research and manage- 

 ment responsibility over all marine mammals. The Secretary of the Interior 

 has responsibility for sea otters, walruses, polar bears, dugongs and manatees. 

 All other marine mammals are under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of 

 Commerce. 



I will address only the extension of authorization for appropriations neces- 

 sary for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out his responsibilities under 

 the Act. 



Section 110(c) authorizes an appropriation not to exceed $2.5 million 

 annually through fiscal year 1977 for research grants. One-third of the total 

 amount authorized each year is available to the Secretary of the Interior. 

 There is a great need for detailed studies of near shore marine mammal 

 communities. Effective protection and management of this resource cannot be 

 achieved without the knowledge which is only attainable with intensive 

 research efforts. 



The Fish and Wildlife Service's marine mammal research activity is admin- 

 istered through the National Fish and Wildlife Laboratory located in the 

 National Museum of Natural History. In addition to the research coordination 

 and administration provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Laboratory, 

 we have field research stations located in Anchorage, Alaska, Gainesville, 

 Florida and Monterey, California. 



Most of our research efforts are currently done within the Service. How- 

 ever, we also utilize contracts and cooperative agreements with other agencies 

 and organizations which are designed to enhance the ongoing research activi- 

 ties and to help meet short term information needs. In addition we admin- 

 ister a small number of research grants. 



I will not take this Committee's time to discuss all of our research projects, 

 but I would like to give you an idea of some of the studies we are conducting. 



Our polar bear research activities, are quite extensive and include the 

 tracking of bears using satellite telemetry. Studies are underway to determine 

 parasites and environmental contaminants in polar bears. We are also investi- 



