290 



AREAS OF QUAGMIRE 



Wallowing of sea^s has converted whole areas into "muddy qungmires devoid of 

 vegetation." Heavy rain then washes away the mud, causing erosion of the 

 relatively fragile soil cap. 



In 1056. about 750 seal calves were bom at the Fame Islands. Each succeeding 

 year, the number has risen, until 1,956 were born last year. There is "no evidence" 

 that the numbers will stabilise if nature is allowed to take its course. 



The Council of the National Trust savs it recognises thot its decision win cause 

 distress to some me- ..)ers. The Trust has repeatedly refused previous requests 

 from the Government for a cull in the interests of the fishing industry. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Roimtree ? 



Mr. RouNTREE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Pollock, could yoii submit for the record a breakdown, either 

 statistical or by whatever means you feel best, as to the economic 

 impact that any ban on the import of seals or ocean mammal products 

 will have in regard to the TTnited States ? 



If you have anv figures pertaining to international trade, our com- 

 mitments under that and the impact it will have in regard to the other 

 European nations, this would be helpful and give us a better deal of 

 the situation. 



Mr. Pollock. You mean the economic impact on the importation of 

 all mammals? 



Mr. RouNTREE. Because we have, in some of the legislative proposals, 

 this type of a concept, banning the importation of ocean mammals 

 and their bvproducts. 



I think it would be helpful in analyzing the pros and cons of this 

 particular approach to see what the Department of Commerce can 

 give us in the way of data. 



That is the only thing I have, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. DiNGELL. I think the information counsel has requested will 

 be very helpful, and it will be inserted at this point in the record. 



Mr. Pollock. Mav I inquire, Mr. Chairman, I finally found my 

 copy of the London Telegraph article, do you have that? 



Mr. DiNGELL. Yes ; I do. That has already been put in the record. 



You are directed to supply the information that Mr. Rountree has 

 requested, and it will appear in the record at this point. 



(The information follows :) 



Economic Impact of the Prohibition of Importation of Marine Mammal 



Products to the United States 



The economic impact of the prohibition of the importation of marine mammal 

 products on U.S. firms relying on these products is diflScult to estimate because 

 of the unavailability of data. Quantity and value of imported marine oils are 

 reported here as follows in 1970 : 



TSUS CATEGORIES OF MARINE MAMMAL OILS, 1970 

 Item and article Quantity Value 



177.3 —Seal oil.. -..- 370,150 $38,338 



177.32-Sperm oil, crude- ..._ _ - ---- 49,629,135 5,246,835 



177.34— Sperm oil, other than crude- _._ 5,978,543 677,395 



177.36— Whale oil, except sperm.. 1.880 2,036 



177.40— Other marine mammal.... ..- 36,851 26,077 



494.0600— Spermacetic wax - 56,000 



Total 56,016,559 6,046,681 



In addition to the marine mammal oil products listed above, there are certain 

 "basket" categories which may include other marine mammal products. These are 

 as follows : 



