154 



As the result of our experience with administration of the endan- 

 gered species legishition, we have undertaken a review of ways in 

 which to improve enforcement of those acts, to supplement regulatory 

 authorities provided therein, and to strengthen generally the statutory 

 protection for species threatened with extinction in the United States 

 and abroad. 



Draft legislation will be recommended to the Congress followmg 

 consultation with the States, interested organizations, and other Fed- 

 eral agencies. 



We would be pleased to answer such questions as you and members 

 of the subcommittee might wish to pursue. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Doctor, the committee is very grateful to you. 



Mr. Pelly? 



Mr. Peli.y. Yes. I would like to ask Dr. Linduska, as far as the effect 

 on another great i-esource, the salmon, which my area is greatly inter- 

 ested in. As you know, only about 1 percent of the salmon, the little 

 salmon that ever go to sea, ever get back into the rivers. And if we 

 could increase them — in other words, the number that return, 1 per- 

 cent, if we could increase them by that amount, we have doubled the 

 amount of salmon and, more importantly, the amount of food that is 

 going to be necessary to feed the increased population of the world. 



Well, as I understand, the predators that reduce the salmon are 

 these same mammals and animals that we have been discussing. 



The other day, one of our colleagues. Representative Pryor, said 

 that he would like to see the return to nature and get the balance of 

 nature restored. That is the way I understood his testimony. 



I thought after liis testimony what would be the effect on the salmon, 

 for example, if the seal and the otters and various other mammals are 

 left free of any control at all. 



Would that not have a very adverse effect on our salmon ? 



Dr. Linduska. This relates back to the question posed to Dr. Talbot 

 and I can only follow along behind him and say amen to his interpre- 

 tation of events. 



I think without question that when we talk about optimum sus- 

 tained harvest for one species we are not taking into account that this 

 may not be an optimum situation for st i 11 other species. 



As far as salmon are concerned, I think it pretty much goes without 

 saying that the fortunes of these fish have gone up ajid do\^Ti pretty 

 much irrespective of the populations of some of the predators. 



I think there is a great deal more involved as far as salmon welfare 

 is concerned than consideration of predators alone. 



At the same time I could not help but agree that to let nature take 

 its course and allow these predators to increase without controls what- 

 soever would probably cut more heavily into the salmon stocks. 



I do not think there'is any doubt about it. But even more to the point 

 is that in the case of seals and others as well, they do arrive at a point 

 of saturation and we have witnessed heavy die-offs from various types 

 of parasitism and other causes. 



If they are not converted to some form of use through an annual 

 harvest, a segment of the population is lost to other causes. 



Mr. Pelly. In other words, you strongly support, the proposal of 

 flexibility in conser\'ation and protection of our animal resources? 



Dr. Linduska. I do, indeed. 



