321 



(1) Studies on Hawaiian Monk Seals (NMFS), $25,000. 



(in) Evaluation of subsistence taking in Alaska (XMFS + FWS), $25,000. 



Total, $1,000,000. 



In Section III, setting forth research at the $2,000,000 level, you will note 

 that we have parenthetically cited the agency or agencies which we feel could 

 appropriately carry out the research should they sek and be appropriated 

 funds under Section 110(a). 



Requested Change in Language 



We respectfully request that your consider striking the second sentence of 

 Section 207. This sentence reads : "Not less than two-thirds of the total 

 amount of the sums appropriated pursuant to this section for any such year 

 shall be expended on research and studies conducted under the authority of 

 Section 202(a) (.2) and (3) of this title." For reasons set forth in our testi- 

 mony, the Commission will not be able to live within the limits imposed by 

 this provision if it is appropriated money at the $1 million level or less with- 

 out severely diminishing the activities and effectiveness of the Commission, 

 its Staff, and its Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals. 

 Sincerely, 



John R. Twiss, Jr. 



Executive Director. 



Marine Mammal Commission, 

 Washington, D.C., May 6, 1977. 

 Hon. Robert L. Leggett, 



Chairman, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the 

 Environment, House of Representatives, Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : Members of your staff recently asked for information 

 to supplement that in my letter of 15 April 1977. Since this information is 

 supplemental, I shall not repeat, in detail, information contained in that letter. 



Accomplishments Since February 1974: The first three pages of the 15 April 

 letter outline Commission accomplishments in brief. Our Annual Reports for 

 Calendar Years 1974, 1975, and 1976 fully substantiate and document these 

 and a number of other accomplishments. 



Fixed Operating Costs: Commission operating costs not associated with the 

 funding of research and study contracts will be approximately $450,000 in 

 fiscal year 1978. Slightly more than $80,000 of this money is, however, di- 

 rectly chargeable to research and studies in that it constitutes partial support 

 of Commission, staff, and Committee time devoted exclusively to those activi- 

 ties. Without severely impairing the Commission's ability to operate, these 

 fixed operating costs cannot be reduced. At any level below $450,000, it would 

 be necessary to severely curtail activities of either the Commission, the staff, 

 and/or the Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals. 

 $1,000,000, and $2,000,000 levels are $450,000, $550,000, and $1,550,000 respec- 



Therefore, monies available for research and study contracts at the $900,000, 

 tively. As will be noted in the succeeding paragraph, we do not believe that 

 current staffing levels would be adequate to manage research and studies 

 activities at a $2,000,000 appropriation level with the same degree of care and 

 consequent beneficial results as is possible at the $1,000,000 level. 



Commission Staffing: At present, the total Commission staff, including sec- 

 retarial help, numbers ten. The Scientific Program Director is actively man- 

 aging about 70 research and study contracts. Were the Commission to be 

 provided $2,000,000 in fiscal year 1978, the additional $1,000,000 would be 

 used for research and studies. Without additional high-level scientific talent, 

 the Commission cannot properly oversee the additional research activities. 

 Therefore, we believe that the additional $1,000,000 should not be sought by 

 the Commission unless provision is made for additional staff. 



Section 110(a): The Commission does not believe that the line agencies 

 nave used the provisions of Section 110(a) of the Act as hoped for by the 

 Congress. Development of a strong national marine mammal research pro- 

 gram depends upon line agencies developing effective granting and/or con- 

 tracting programs under this Section. Such programs under Section 110(a) 

 would be subject to careful scrutiny and review by the Commission as pro- 

 vided for in Section 110(b). The Commission respectfully recommends, there- 

 fore, that your Committee consider the benefits to be realized in forcing the 



