46 



U.S. GrOVEBNMENT, 



Small Business Administration, 

 Washington, B.C., August 19, 1971. 

 Hon. Edward A. Garmatz, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House of Representa- 

 tives, Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : This is in response to your letters of March 30, April 28, 

 April 30, May 11. and August 10, 1971, requesting the views of the Small Busi- 

 ness Administration on a number of bills (H.R. 6554, H.R. 7463, H.R. 6558, 

 H.R. 8183, and H.R. 10420) which, in various forms, call for total or partial bans 

 on the taking of ocean mammals — that is to say, animals in the categories of 

 seal, whale, walrus, sea cow, sea otter, sea lion, polar bear, porpoise or dolphin. 



There is reason to believe that the availability of products derived from the 

 described animals is of prime importance to a substantial number of small con- 

 cerns. Clearly, a significant reduction in this availability, such as might flow 

 from the proposed prohibitions or limitations on takes, would have adverse ef- 

 fects on these concerns in the immediate future. 



On the other hand, the fear is widely expressed that a continuation of hunt- 

 ing on the present scale will lead to the eventual extinction of the animals. In 

 the long view, therefore, the imposition of suitable restrictions might be to the 

 best interests of the firms in question. 



However, we do not have sufiicient factual knowledge to make a proper evalu- 

 ation of the issues presented by the subject bills. Accordingly, we will not venture 

 an opinion as to their merits. 



It is our understanding that hearings will soon be held on this legislation. We 

 look forward to the resulting information. 

 Sincerely, 



Thomas S. Kleppe. Administrator. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, B.C., September 22, 1971. 

 Hon. Edward A. Garmatz, 



Chairm4in, Comm,ittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 U.S. House of Representatives, 

 Washington, B.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : Thank you for the opportunity to comment upon H.R. 

 10420, a bill "To protect marine mammals ; to establish a Marine Mammal Com- 

 mission; and for other purposes." Essentially, the bill provides for the issuance 

 of permits under the close supervision of the Secretary of the Interior for the 

 collecting or hunting of various marine mammals. Collection of certain marine 

 mammals for scientific purposes may be had upon proper application for waiver. 



The bill also provides for the establishment of a Marine Mammal Commission, 

 the duties of which would include undertaking a comprehensive review and study 

 of the activities of the United States pursuant to existing laws and international 

 conventions relating to marine mammals. Members of the Commission would be 

 appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the President. The Commission would 

 be required to establish within three months of its inception a committee of scien- 

 tific advisors on marine mammals. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 in addition to the Director of the National Science Foundation and the Chairman 

 of the National Academy of Sciences, would recommend to the Chairman of the 

 Commission the names of nine scientists to serve on a committee of scientific 

 advisors. The scientists must be knowledgeable in marine ecology and marine 

 mammals affairs. 



Of course, the Smithsonian Institution will make its expertise available to such 

 a Commission, and the Secretary of the Smithsonian would be pleased to assist 

 in making appropriate recommendations for membership on a committee of 

 scientific advisors. With respect to the most effective means for attaining the 

 ohjectives set forth in H.R. 10420, the Smithsonian Institution defers to the views 

 of the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, and the Depart- 

 ment of State. Smithsonian scientists have been in touch on a working basis with 

 each of these Departments regarding the bill. Their views will be reflected to a 

 certain degree in the reports of these Departments. 



The OflBce of Management and Budget has advised that there is no objection to 

 the presentation of this report to the Congress from the standpoint of the Ad- 

 ministration's program. 

 Sincerely yours, 



S. Dillon Ripley, Secretary. 



