186 



Mr. McKernan. This Government is in favor of negotiating both 

 an international agreement on polar bear and one includmg walrus 



and other ice seals. 



We have talked to other nations about this, and in particular with 



the Soviet Union. i , • 



The Soviet Union, of course, abuts Alaska, and there is every evi- 

 dence that the ice seals, perhaps walrus as well, migrate between 

 watoi-s of the two, and of course this moniing it was pointed out that 

 ])robably polar bear do not recognize the boundaries that we humans 

 do. So it will be necessary for us to resolve this by international means, 

 and we are anxious to do so. , . . 



Now, we have had continuing, but I must admit, intermittent dis- 

 cussion's with Soviet Union officials attempting to work out an inter- 

 national agreement on these animals. 



I have talked with Soviet officials informally as recently as earlier 

 this year, and I found them interested in such discussions, but some- 

 what reluctant to comit themselves to formal negotiations which would 

 lead to an international agreement. j • • 



We are continuing to press such arrangements, and it is my judg- 

 ment that we wnll arrive at a meeting of the minds, and will within 

 a few years be able to get the circumpolar nations to agree to an inter- 

 national convention on these important marine animals. 



Mr. Andersox. You say you talked to them as recently as this year. 

 How early have your talks been going on ? 



For example, in your remarks you refer to the fur seal treaty of 

 1911, and you say since that time the United States has negotiated 

 a number of treaties, and have imdertaken discussions. 



It would appear since 1911 you have been mo\dng in this direction. 

 Is it only recently that you have tried to develop an actual treaty? 

 Mr. McKernan. Mr. Anderson, in my statement I was really refer- 

 ring to some of our other fisheries teaties, such as the Northwest 

 Atlantic Fisheries Convention, the North Pacific Fisheries Conven- 

 tion, and some of the other treaties. 



In connection with polar bear and walrus, to the best of my knowl- 

 edge, our serious discussions concerning an agreement on these ani- 

 mals began perhaps in the mid-1960's, although, Mr. Anderson, I 

 could be wrong about that date. 



My own close association was in the mid-1 950's, and I do not recall 

 any serious attempts earlier than that to get together with the Soviets 

 and other polar nations to negotiate such an agreement. 



We have in recent years tried to work toward this, and as was men- 

 tioned this morning, we have made some progress on polar bears. 

 We have made some progress in terms of the ice seals and walruses 

 by agreeing to, exchange scientific publications as a first step. 

 In my judgment it is a small step, and not adequate. 

 (Committee Note. — On September 20, in hearings on other legisla- 

 tion pending before the committee, a representative of the State De- 



