153 



Dr. LiNDUSKA. That is correct, Mr. Chairman. 



In recognition of the need for reliable information upon which to 

 base management programs, the Department has initiated necessarily 

 limited studies of the sea otter, walrus, and polar bear. 



While data on marine mammals generally is scanty at best, we do 

 recognize that some species are in jeopardy as the result of environ- 

 mental degradation. 



There is a need for regulatory authority on the high seas and for 

 international agreements to afford increased protection and other 

 conservation measures throughout the range of these animals. 



Enactment of H.R. 690 would provide specific authority to extend 

 the scope of studies now being conducted. The additional regulatory 

 authority proposed by our amendment would parallel identical au- 

 thority now available for the protection of sea otters under title III 

 of the Fur Seal Act of 1966. 



This Department recognizes the need expressed by H.R. 10420 

 for a coordinated approach to the protection, conservation, and man- 

 agement of marine mammals and, as already noted, agrees that addi- 

 tional regulatory authority would, if properly conceived, contribute 

 to the preservation of those species subject to a variety of natural 

 and manmade incursions. 



Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 transferred to the Department 

 of Commerce those authorities formerly exercised by this Department, 

 Interior, through the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. These include 

 management activities and research related to fur seals, whales, and 

 sea lions. 



The Department of Commerce has recommended the enactment of 

 H.R. 10420 with significant amendments. We concur in its recom- 

 mendation for broadened general research and regulatory authority. 



It should be noted that these authorities would supplement more 

 specific provisions contained in other laws now applicable to both 

 Departments. 



H.R. 10420, as amended, would recognize the alinement of program 

 responsibilities accomplished by Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, 

 and anticipates the establishment of the Department of Natural 

 Resources. 



Because H.R. 6554 most directly affects the program responsibilities 

 of the Department of Commerce, we have deferred to that agency 

 concerning the advisability of enactment. It should be noted, however, 

 that the provisions of H.R. 6554 which impose an absolute prohibition 

 on the taking of all marine mammals are inconsistent with the rec- 

 ognized principles of sound wildlife management. 



Termination of the Pribilof fur seal harvest, conducted pursuant to 

 international agreement, would jeopardize the livelihood of Alaska 

 natives on the islands. Likewise, we defer to the Department of Com- 

 merce on House Concurrent Resolution 77, H.R. 4370, and H.R. 7463, 

 all pertaining to the methods of harvest of the Pribilof fur seal. 



We have recommended that the committee defer action on H.R. 7240, 

 which contains several amendments to the Endangered Species Con- 

 servation Act of 1969. The bill purports to strengthen authority for 

 the protection of species classified as being threatened with extinction 

 and raises issues worthy of careful consideration. 



