238 



We notice in 1969 that pennits for 100 sperm whales and 100 gray 

 wliales were issued. Thiity-foiir sperm whales were taken. 



I note in 1970 tliat this organization sought permits for 100 sperm 



w'hales. 



We have no information as to the number of sperm whales that were 

 taken, but I would like to ask you what has happened to these whales 

 after they were taken and what will happen with regard to the permits 

 requested. 



In other words, if I were to dispose of 53 whales I would have to 

 think very hard on some way to get rid of them. 



]Mr. Pollock. I will again ask Mr. Terry to respond. 



Mr. Terry. ^Mr. Chairman, the permits were issued, you understand, 

 and the laboratory we are si^eaking of is a laboratory of the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service when we were the Bureau of Conunercial 

 Fisheries and it was our laboratory. 



Mr. DiNGELL. I am curious to'knoAV what happened to the whales 

 that were taken. 



Mr. Terry. The carcasses of the whales, you will recall at that 

 time there was a fairly substantial whaling industry, and the car- 

 casses were used by the whaling company after we had finished re- 

 search we wanted to do. 



Mr. DiNGELL. What research was done ? 



Mr. Terry. I perhaps should ask Dr. Harry to respond in detail. 



Mr. Pollock. That might be more appropriate. 



Might we have Dr. George Harry, who is the Director of the Marine 

 Mammal Biology Laboratory in Seattle, respond ? 



Mr. DiNGELL. I am curious. The sperm whale is regarded as an 

 endangered species and I find myself curious as to why you had to 

 kill in the instance 53 and then 34 and, of course, what was the re- 

 search you were engaged in to cause the killing of this number of 

 whales ? 



Dr. Harry. This was recommended by the Sperm Whale Commit- 

 tee of the International Whaling Commission. 



At that time the whales were not on the endangered species list. 



Mr. DiNGELL. When did they go on the endangered species list^ 

 Can you refresh my recollection ? 



Mr. Pollock. 1970. 



Mr. DiNGELL. December 1970, is that the date ? 



Mr. Pollock. December 2, 1970. 



Mr. DiNGELL. I remember there was a discussion. 



Dr. Harry. The only way that such information as to the size 

 at maturity, age at maturity, pregnancy rate, general life history 

 data, gestation period, all of this type of life history, and biological 

 data can be obtained is from taking the whales themselves. 



This cannot be obtained by observation in any way. The whales 

 have to be taken, measured, examined, and this is the only way it can 

 be done. 



This is basic life history data that are essential to control and con- 

 serve Avhales or any mammal. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Were these random takings or selected animals? What 

 was the way these decisions were made ? 



Dr. Harry. I believe there was a selection for undersized whales 

 and special selections to get data that would not be obtained from 

 the ordinary whaling operation. 



