352 



Mr. Potter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I tliink the most significant part of what you are telling the commit- 

 tee is that, if I understand you, it is to the economic interest of the 

 industry to use this Medina net. 



Is that an accurate summary? 



Mr. Felando. Yes ; it is to our economic interest to keep the porpoise 

 lielping us and it is also extremely important in doing so, not only to 

 have them around to help us, but also in the process of catching tuna, 

 to get them out of the way as quickly as possible because this gives 

 us the competitive advantage in operating our vessels. 



Mr. Potter. Incidentally, what species of porpoise are you talking 

 about ? 



Mr. Felando, I am not an expert. We call them spinners and spotters 

 and white bellies. 



These are the terms that we use in the industry. 



Mr. Potter. Primarily dolphins, I assume. 



Mr. Felando. Well, the word dolphin confuses us. I know some 

 people use dolphin and porpoise and we just use, in the industry, we 

 just call them porpoise. I do not know whether they are dolphin or 

 what. 



Mr. Potter. Am I correct that risfht now the American tuna purse 

 seine fleet is the only purse seine fleet of any significance presently 

 fishing for tuna? 



Mr. Felando. No. You would have to sav at the present time that 

 Mexico has a growing fleet in the purse seine business. 



I would say that is also true of France and Spain. There is a devel- 

 oping fleet under the Panamanian flag. 



There is a definite indication that we are not there all bv ourselves. 



The purse seine, there is a growing recognition that this is the way 

 to catch tuna, and it is a question of time how long we will maintain 

 leadership. 



Mr. Potter. I understand that for many years it was this technique 

 w'hich gave us a competitive edge — that we could use it and others 

 could not. 



Mr. Felando. Well, it is just the fact that we originated the tech- 

 nique. Now, this knowledge is being transferred and picked up by 

 foreign fishermen. 



Mr. Potter. Have you any indication as to the extent to which the 

 Medina net is being adopted by any of the other countries which are 

 developing purse seine operations ? 



Mr. Felando. No. I just know that anyone who is in the business 

 and who wants to stay in the business will pick up these things quickly. 

 The word is getting aroimd. 



A lot of the people that we compete with, you know we have com- 

 munication with them out at sea and I can only say at this time that I 

 believe they will get the word very quickly. 



Mr. Potter. Is it your impression that the fishermen of other comi- 

 tries are as solicitious of the welfare of the jwrpoise and dolphin as 

 you are ? 



Mr. Felando. Well, I think they want to catch fish and I would hope 

 that they would recognize the advantages of making the change. 



As to whether they have the same attitude that we 'have, I think all 

 fishermen recognize the importance of porpoise so I would have to say 

 I believe so. 



