more of these animals has been, to put it charitably, very limited. The 

 committee will be very much interested to learn from the witnesses just 

 what they feel the level of funding should be, if we are to develop the 

 knowledge that we must have in order to deal fairly and adequately 

 with these animals, some of whom may be at least as intelligent as 

 man — and what should be done to protect them in the interval before 

 this research has been completed. 



In these hearings we will attempt to develop the best available evi- 

 dence as to what is happening to these species, and what additional 

 protection they may require beyond what they may already have — 

 if any. In many cases hard evidence will be lacking, which is itself in- 

 dicative of present inadequacies of research and perhaps even pro- 

 tection. 



Critics of present programs relating to marine mammals argue that 

 the killing of any animals for any purpose ultimately involves moral 

 or ethical questions. I would suggest that such questions become far 

 more acute where this killing can be shown to be inhumane or where 

 there is any possibility that it may produce irreversible consequences 

 on animal species or important population stocks. In these cases we 

 must act cautiously indeed. 



In the course of the recent International Conference on the Biology 

 of Whales, the suggestion was made that the burden of proof that any 

 given rate of harvesting a species or stock will not damage that species 

 or stock must rest with those who would benefit from that harvest. 

 This strikes me as a rational and defensible principle upon which to 

 base any scheme for the protection of marine mammals, and I com- 

 mend it as a possible common thread of understanding to be kept 

 in mind as these hearings proceed. 



Once destroyed, biological capital cannot be recreated. This, it seems 

 to me, argues irresistibly for prudent, responsible action on the part 

 of everyone. 



There are many bills presently pending before the committee which 

 deal with the protection of some or all species of marine mammals. 

 Some provide research authority only — H.R. 6804 by Mr. Whitehurst ; 

 some deal with only certain types of marine mammals — H.R. 7463, 

 by Mr. Anderson of California ; some are directed at the humane or 

 inhumane methods of taking — House Concurrent Resolution 77, by 

 Mr. Ryan and others; and H.R. 4370, by Mr. Helstoski. Mr. Pryor has 

 introduced, with some 100 cosponsors, a bill which would impose an 

 absolute ban upon the taking of all such mammals — H.R. 6558 and 

 others--and Mr. Anderson and several others have introduced an al- 

 ternative which would impose such a ban, but would permit the Sec- 

 retary of the Interior to issue permits for the taking of marine mam- 

 mals, after full public review — H.R. 10420. 



Time is very limited, and I will not use any more of it here. 



We have an impressive group of witnesses before us, and we look 

 forward to hearing from all of them. 



Because time is so limited we have taken the unusual and very dis- 

 tasteful step of limiting the time for testimony. 



The committee staff has been in touch with all of these witnesses and 

 their representatives, and I am sure anything they wish to say can be 

 submitted in writing, and may be done in complete detail as they wish, 

 and to ask that they summarize their oral testimony as succinctly as 

 possible. 



