327 



STATEMENT OF HON. DAVID R. OBEY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN 

 CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WISCONSIN 



Mr. Obey. Mr. Chairman, I am indeed grateful to testify in behalf of 

 H.R. 10420, sponsored by Congressman Anderson, myself and nine 

 other Members of this House, ^Vhich provides for the management of all 

 marine mammals within the jurisdiction of the United States. 



The passage of this bill would allow us to take significant steps 

 forward in the preservation and management of marine mammals. 

 Frankly, I think it may well be a necessary measure if the blue whale, 

 sea lion, walrus, hair seal, sea otter, polar bear and other such species are 

 to survive. These animals deserve our attention now, because as several 

 scientists have warned, if action is not taken these animals may become 

 extinct. 



While this bill prohibits the harassment, hunting, capture or killing 

 of these animals, it does allow the Secretary of Interior to issue 

 permits for the taking of these animals as long as it is not done in 

 such a way that the animals are threatened with extinction or undue 

 attrition. 



This legislation comes at a time when article after article has ap- 

 peared in the press teUing of atrocities by marine hunters and of the 

 exploitation of marine mammals for their fur, meat or oil. Marine 

 mammal populations have diminished sharply in recent years, ranging 

 from the sea lion which loses a a few thousand each year to several 

 whale species and stocks which are near extinction. 



The killing of jwrpoises by tuna fiishermen is a prime example of 

 the thoughtless waste that exists. The fleets are said to kill as many as 

 200,000 porpoises each year. Fishermen also prey on the sea otter with 

 rifles, hoping to remove them permanently from the abalone fish beds. 

 And, in addition to the commercial squander, in many areas the "sports 

 hunter" threatens these animals even more seriously. In the case of 

 the polar bear the game hunter's impact is dramatic. The Alaskan 

 airplane hunter provides the impetus for a dwindling polar bear 

 l^opulation. 



Although the Northern Pacific Fur Seal Convention, which allocates 

 the killing of seals by four countries, is a notable exception, little 

 legislation and few international agreements exist regarding the pres- 

 ervation of marine mammals. Those which do exist are not strong 

 enough to adequately protect our marine life. Federal legislation on 

 the books varies too widely for effective control. Private research is 

 still in the primary stages, and in need of Federal money and technical 

 assistance. 



Research in the field— which is desperately needed just to produce 

 an adequate appreciation of the extent of the problem — is limited, and 

 most of it is concentrated on fur seals. Even here research is only in 

 the observation stages. 



Research which has been done shows that marine mammals may 

 prove to be of great importance to mankind m the future. The sea 

 cow may prove to be significant as a consumer of water hyacinth, a 

 source of concern and expense to water research managers. Water hy- 

 acinth tends to proliferate in reservoirs and creates massive ecological 

 and esthetic problems. Further research in this area would obviously 

 be beneficial. 



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