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Marine Mammal Commission, 

 Washington, D.C., March 16, 1977. 

 Hon. Robert L. Leggett. 



Chairman, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Envi- 

 ronment, U.8. House of Representatives, Washington, D.v. 



Deab Mk. Chairman: In your bearings on March 15th, you asked about the 

 status of the Marine Mammal Maintenance Standards and Guidelines. You 

 requested an explanation as to why the Department of Agriculture had not 

 yel published the standards for public comment. 



At its first meeting in 1974, the Commission recognized the need to develop 

 uniform standards to measure the adequacy of holding facilities and practices. 

 It. established a special subcommittee of the Committee of Scientific Advisors 

 to develop standards. Information and comments on the subcommittee's draft 

 proposals were solicited from specialists in the United States and abroad. 



Based upon information on the biological needs of captive animals, the Com- 

 mission's recommended Marine Mammal Maintenance Standards and Guidelines 

 were transmitted to the Departments of Agriculture. Commerce, and the In- 

 terior on 20 October 197H. The Commission recommended that they be adopted 

 and that appropriate provisions and arrangements be developed for their 

 uniform administration and application, including inspection and enforcement. 

 The Standards and Guidelines were designed to ensure the welfare of captive 

 marine mammals in compliance with the provisions of the Marine Mammal 

 Protection Act and the Federal Laboratory Animal Welfare Act. We believe 

 that their use will improve the health of captive marine mammals, ensure 

 humane treatment, and reduce the need to remove marine mammals from wild 

 populations. 



We have received repeated assurances, all unfulfilled, from the Department 

 of Agriculture as to publication. The Department's latest word is that they 

 expect to publish the Guidelines and Standards by 1 April 1977. 

 Sincerely, 



John R. Twtss. Jr., 



Executive Director. 



Mr. ErsEXBUD. Could I clarifv for the record, please? 



The standards are to be published by the Department of Agricul- 

 ture and not the Marine Mammal Commission. Tt should be under- 

 stood that we do not have authority to publish standards. 



Mr. Manntna. The source of delay has been with the Department 

 of Agriculture? 



Mr. Twiss. It has. 



Mr. Maxxtxa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Leggett. Any further questions? 



If not. gentlemen, thank you. You have been helpful. 



We will await your analysis before we mark up this legislation. 



Xow, Christine Stevens, very nice to have you here. 



STATEMENT OF CHRISTINE STEVENS, SECRETARY, SOCIETY FOR 

 ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION 



Mrs. Stevexs. Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman. 

 Mr. Leggett. Do you have a prepared statement ? 

 Mrs. Stevexs. Just a very brief one. 

 Mr. Leggett. OK. 



That statement will be included in our record at this point and yon 

 are here representing the Society for Animal Protective Legislation. 

 [The following was received for the record:"] 



