150 



Are you able to ^ive us any comment on that particular point, sir ? 



Dr. Talbot. I think that the past record speaks rather clearly for 

 itself. 



Mr. DiNGELL When they brought these species to the brink of 

 extinction, one must wonder if they have been awake or if they have 

 been in existence, or if they have carried out their fundamental 

 responsibilities. 



Dr. Talbot. My impression, Mr. Dingell, is that because the inter- 

 national whaling convention emphasized the welfare and health of the 

 whaling industry rather than that of the whales and their environ- 

 ment, and because, therefore, the makeup of the Commission from most 

 countries, not necessarily ours, has been from leaders of the whaling 

 industries of these countries, it has not been the most effective possible 

 instniment to look after the health and welfare of the species and its 

 environment. 



Mr. DixGELL. They certainlj are not conservators. 



I have a feeling they are either executors or executioners. 



I am not quite sure which description they should bear, but I have 

 a feeling that the protection of the whale species and marine mammals 

 lies not in national action, but in international action. 



In your view, does H.R. 10420 or any of the other bills before us 

 have in it appropriate mechanisms for triggering an adequate inter- 

 national response and adequate international conference on the prob- 

 lem of conserving the whales, particularly the more endangered 

 species ? 



Dr. Talbot. Well, in my opinion. Mr. Chairman, they exhort and 

 provide the opportunity to the State Department to seek such inter- 

 national mechanisms. 



Mr. Dingell. We are not giving the State Department a return 

 date, so to say, that they are to do so and so within such a fixed date. 

 We have tried that before with unsatisfactory results. 



We gave them strict instructions in regard to the endangered species 

 to return to us within a fixed date for an international conference, 

 and we have, as usual, been disappointed in the labors of the State 

 Department in that particular. 



I wonder if we should consider an action of that kind should bear 

 to the policy statement and the findings and declaration of policy in 

 the bill. 



Can you give us any guidance on that point ? 



Dr. Talbot. I think, Mr. Chairman, that is a point where I am not 

 really qualified to comment. 



]Mr. DixGELL. Now, can you give us a statement as to what would be 

 an adequate Internationaf Whaling Commission in the sense of both 

 the numbers of people, the powers, the responsibilities, and the duties 

 of the Commission ? 



It is pretty obvious to me the Commission is not adequate in numbers, 

 powers or personnel, or orientation, and perhaps you cannot give us 

 an answer at this particular point, but it is something that would be 

 very helpful to the committee, and I am sure it would be appropriate 

 that you could draw on whichever of the executive agencies that you 

 would so desire with regard to this particular point. 



Frankly, I have the feeling that before the w^hales can be saved, we 

 must first save the Commission or, at least get one set up. And your 

 help in this particular will be appreciated. 



