130 



The actual focus of my research was the source of the Crystal River 

 where limpid spring-fed waters pr<ovide a natural laboratory for 

 underwater observations. Manatees congregate here eacHi winter, seek- 

 ing shelter in the warm waters during cold spells. It is an ideal loca- 

 tion for a national manatee refuge. With appropriate safeguards and 

 under the constant surveillance of refuge personnel, manatees could 

 be assured permanent protection here and perhaps even become a res- 

 ervoir from wliich surplus animals could be drawn to colonize erstwhile 

 haunts. 



The sirenians are docile, harmless, unobtrusive creatures with no 

 defense but flig*ht, no enemies but man. In today's mercenary world, 

 they are an anachronism; they have no real commercial value. At- 

 tempts to use them as agents of aquatic weed control in Florida's water- 

 ways are, to date, inconclusive. 



About all the sirenians ever did was to give rise to the mermaid 

 legend. We should preserve them for that. We should preserve them 

 because they are there, because they are part of nature's balance and 

 mystery. 



Th^ manatees' future is in jeopardy, but it is within our power, at 

 least in Florida, to reduce their vulnerability and to reverse their 

 decline. 



I will be happy to field any questions you may have. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Doctor, we are going to have the lights turned out 

 and I would like to ask you, you have made some suggestions and I 

 think it would be appreciated if you would see to it that you sent the 

 staff such suggestions for legislative action that you might deem ap- 

 propriate or some amendatory language for the matters now pending 

 before us. 



Dr. Hartman. Fine, thank you. 



( Showing of slides. ) 



Mr. DiN^GELL. Mr. McCloskey had a question he wanted to direct to 

 you or one of your other witnesses and we will recognize him at this 

 time. 



Mr. McCloskey. Doctor, we have some antiocean dumping legisla- 

 tion on the floor this afternoon and that is a very controversial issue 

 involving the marine sanctuaries. 



In your comment about the deaths of the manatees, can you docu- 

 ment for us any deaths that you have traced directly to agricultural 

 pesticides ? 



Dr. Hartman. Not so much to agricultural pesticides as to effluents 

 from the phosphate industry and to herbicides used in the control of 

 aquatic plants. 



During my research I conducted an extensive survey on the west 

 coast of Florida, questioning commercial fishermen, guides, baithouse 

 operators, and so forth. I discovered that where animals had once been 

 present, as recently as 10 years ago, they are now absent. 



Mr. McCloskey. Wliat were your conclusions as a result of this 

 study? 



Dr. Hartman. That manatees are threatened by a combination of 

 factors. The dredging of canals silts the waters depriving submerged 

 vegetation of sunlight. Eventually it dies and the manatee's staiple is 

 gone. 



In the St. Johns River, the herbicide 2,4-D has been sprayed 

 extensively to eradicate water hyacinth. It is impossible for us to 



