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Statement of Christine Stevens, Secretary, Society for Animal 



Protective Legislation 



On behalf of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation, I wish to express 

 support for H.R. 4740 to authorize increased appropriations for implementation 

 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 



The need for a full observer program is well established, and the proposed 

 increases should make that possible as well as allowing adequate funds for 

 enforcement activities and general administration of the Act in an orderly 

 manner. 



The increase in research funds to be administered by the Marine Mammal 

 Commission is highly desirable too. at this critical period in the Act's exist- 

 ence. The remarkable progress made by a single scientific cruise by the Eliza- 

 beth C.J. demonstrates the value of such funding. The Marine Mammal Com- 

 mission has played a valuable role in advancing the purposes of the Act. and 

 may be expected to develop into an increasingly effective advisory body as it 

 gains experience. 



Mr. Chairman, we commend your forward looking action in proposing the 

 authorization that is needed to provide the protection the Congress called for 

 when the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed. 



Mrs. Stevexs. Yes. 



Mr. Leggett. You are not responsible for putting dugongs in the 

 bill, are vou? , 



Mrs. Stevens. I think all marine mammals should be in the bill. 



Air. Leggett. Have you ever seen a dugong? 



Mrs. Stevexs. No;* I am sorrv to say I have not. But I would 

 like to. 



Mr. Leggett. Milton, have you seen a dugong? 



Colonel Kaufmaxx. Pictures. They are the original mermaids. 

 They allegedly give rise to the birth of mermaids. 



Mr. Leggett. I kind of wonder why we are not protecting the Loch 

 Ness monster, too. We have not seen many of those, but we have 

 heard of them. 



Mrs. Stevexs. We do not think they are mammals. 



Mr. Leggett. Well, how can you prove it is a fish? 



All right. 



Mrs. Stevexs. Mr. Chairman. I really cannot speak to this issue 

 technically, in the detail you have heard from the Government 

 witnesses.* It is simply that we want to express strong support for 

 the increases which vou put in the bill, which we are delighted to see. 



I would add to my statement, that the Department of Interior 

 lias been badly criticized for lack of enforcement, and that is the 

 reason, or one of the reasons that has been put forward by the State 

 of Alaska, that it should take over the management. 



So I certainly hope that more money for enforcement can go into 

 all of these programs, because it has been inadequate with every 

 agency, and it is causing this problem in Alaska. 



We* do not like to see the management put back in_ the State, 

 because we do not think the State has a good record. This is all the 

 more reason why there should be larger appropriations for enforce- 

 ment bv the Federal Government throughout. 



Mr. Leggett. Of course, the States have shown better capability 

 to relate to control indigenous taking. 



Mrs. Stevexs. Yes. 



