344 



captive bolt pistol, electrical stunning, and carbon dioxide stunning 

 prior to sticking. She so concluded on the basis of the premise that "any 

 method involving more handling of the animals would * * * be a step 

 in the wrong direction." (P. 5.) 



Another stud_y of the Pribilof Islands harvest reached similar con- 

 clusions. This study was made by the task force to study alternate 

 methods of harvest! n.q- fur seals, and was issued in 19f>8. 



We are, it appears, left with a difficult conclusion. Clubbing has been 

 supported by studies. However, there are some directions toward which 

 we should be pushing. First, we should be seeking international accord 

 on totally banning seal killing. Second, we should be impressing upon 

 the Secretarv of the Interior the importance of developing more hu- 

 mane methods of killing; so long as the harvest continues. To this end, 

 I think it particularly appropriate that House Concurrent Kesolution 

 77 be enacted into law. 



I would like, before closing, to make reference to a very real concern 

 which has been voiced. This is the economic situation of the individuals 

 involved in the Pribilof Islands harvest. The total population of the 

 Pribilof Islands is approximately 600 people. Their only income pro- 

 ducing industry is the seal hunt. However, I want to stress that this 

 industry is not the result of indigenous cultural patterns : the Russians, 

 who originally owned the Pribilofs. brought Aleutian people from the 

 Aleutian chain of islands to the Pribilofs, where they were kept in 

 bondage as slaves for the purpose of conducting the slaughter. Second, 

 I want to stress that I believe it entirely appropriate that should more 

 humane methods of harvest be instituted, the people presently em- 

 ployed be trained to carryout these methods. Should the harvest be 

 terminated, I believe Federal assistance to develop new industry, to 

 assist in moving the Natives, should they wish to leave, and to retrain 

 them, would be entirely in order. 



Finally. I believe similar assistance should be provided the employees 

 of the Fouke Fur Co., in Greenville, S.C, which is the only American 

 company engaged in processing and preparing the seal pelts. 



Mr. DiNGELL. That was certainly a very enlightening and informa- 

 tive statement. The Chair thanks vou for appearing. 



Mr. Ryan. It was my pleasure, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Our next witness is Mr. August Felando, accompanied 

 by Mr. Joe Medina, American Tuna Boat Association. 



Gentlemen, we are very happy to welcome you for such a statement 

 as you choose to give. 



STATEMENT OF AUGUST FELANDO, AMERICAN TUNABOAT ASSO- 

 CIATION, ACCOMPANIED BY JOE MEDINA, SKIPPER OF TUNA- 

 BOAT "QUEEN MARY" 



Mr. Felando. I am Auarust Felando. I am appearing before this 

 subcommittee on behalf of the American Tunaboat Association. I am 

 the general manager of this nonprofit fishery cooperative association, 

 incorporated under the laws of the State of California, with its prin- 

 cipal office of business in San Diego, Calif. 



The American Tunaboat Association (ATA) has been in existence 

 since 1923. The membership is comprised exclusively of tuna-fishing 

 vessel owners. Annually our members catch and unload over 60 percent 



