74 



374 were adult females and 103 were calves. The walrus also is under state 

 jurisdiction. Alaska now limits the harvest by natives dependent on walrus for 

 food to 5 adult females or subadults of either sex per season. There is no limit 

 on adult males, and orphaned calves may be taken without contributing to 

 the bag. 



The decline in numbers of walrus harvested by natives is primarily the result 

 of two factors. The natives are moving into larger towns, such as Nome, and 

 few return to hunt walrus. This trend will probably continue. In addition, non- 

 natives are now permitted to take one adult male (trophy) by purchasing a 

 $100 permit. Trophy hunters must be taken out by teams of native guides and 

 the natives may not harvest walrus while accompanying trophy hunters. These 

 teams, if harvesting walrus on their own rather than accompanying trophy 

 hunters, might kill more than 100 male walrus i)er day. The trophy hunter will 

 pay at least $2,000 for the services of these natives. Thus, trophy hunting has 

 multiple benefits ; it reduces the annual harvest of walrus and at the same time 

 permits economic utilization of the walrus resource by the native population. 



Management of the walrus in Alaska has consisted of the following measures : 



1. The only major hauling ground regularly used by walrus in Alaska, Round 

 Island of the Walrus Islands in northern Bristol Bay, has been designated, as a 

 refuge and complete protection is provided there. 



2. The annual harvest of walrus is controlled and the regulations governing 

 the harvest favor the taking of adult males. Since the walrus Is polygamous, 

 taking of adult males, within limits, is not detrimental to the population. 



Management of the Polar Bear 



Hunting parties originating in Alaska are required to submit all skins and 

 skulls of polar bears to the Game Commission so that age data may be obtained. 

 Data from bears harvested in Alaska show that the averge age of males has 

 been declining since 1966. This means that younger and smaller bears are being 

 taken, but not necessarily that the population has been harmed. The survival 

 of young bears is thought to be enhanced by the removal of older males since 

 they are known to be canibalistic. Consideration should be given to reducing the 

 kill, however, in order to maintain a better balanced age ratio. 



Management of the polar bear is complicated by the fact that five nations have 

 direct interest in this species. Individual bears range extensively over the arctic 

 and it is not known whether any nation has truly a resident population of polar 

 bears. Any management program, to be successful, must be based on interna- 

 tional cooperation between the nations concerned. 



Mr. Kimball, Mr. Chairman, the National Wildlife Federation 

 does not support any legislation calling for the complete protection 

 of all ocean mammals. 



Since H.R. 6554 is completely unacceptable to the Federation, we 

 will not comment on its specific content. 



Our opposition is based on the fact that not all of the ocean mam- 

 mals, but certainly some, do need protection. 



If we are to assume that the wildlife resource is to be managed for 

 the use and benefit of man, it seems to me, Mr. Chairman, that this 

 committee and then the Congress must first determine whether or not 

 it is in the overall public interest to manage, guide, or manipulate 

 wildlife populations in general, or in this case marine mammals in 

 particular, in such a manner or as to provide the public with the great- 

 est possible variety of uses and benefits obtained from this valuable 

 resource. 



One alternative to management is to give total protection to all 

 species by Federal law. 



In so doing, you will preempt the professional wildlife scientist 

 from applying his knowledge and judgments and otherwise exer- 

 cising his dominion and stewardship over animal populations. 



The National Wildlife Federation is opposed to such an alternative, 

 preferring to support professional wildlife management whose ulti- 



