361 



advice of lUCN and in cooperation with the IFTF. The proceeds from the sale 

 of tliese plaques will be used to finance research projects leading to conservation 

 action. 



It will be seen, therefore, that the Fur Trade is deeply concerned in this question 

 and is working in the closest cooperation with the most responsible organisations 

 in the world, to ensure that there is effective wildlife management, and that the 

 taking of skins for furs is based on planned scientific methods to ensure mainte- 

 nance of stocks. 



Mr. Poser. Our attitude concerning the conservation of sea mam- 

 mals is identical with that of the true conservationists and the con- 

 cerned public authorities. However, it departs from that of the so- 

 called humane le^slation o;roups such as the Friends of Animals, Inc., 

 and similar organizations. These oraranizations can be more aptly 

 described as preservationists rather than conservationists. Their phi- 

 losophy seems to be that no living animal shouM be used by man unless 

 absohitely necessary to serve man's need for food, clothinsr, or shelter. 

 The dispatch of animals not absolutely necessary for food, clothing, or 

 shelter, even though done by the most humane method possible, is not 

 regarded by them as humane. Yet they label the dispatch of cattle and 

 other animals they say are necessary for man's livelihood as humane, 

 even though such animals may be dispatched by the same means as 

 surplus bachelor seals. 



In resnect to conservation, we are in srood company. Our philosophy 

 matches that of the International Union for the Conservation of 

 Nature (IITCN), the Wildlife Mana^-ement Institute, the American 

 Forestry Institute, the World Wildlife Fund, the Audubon Society, 

 the American MammaloQ-ical Society, the Departments of Commerce, 

 State, and Interior, and the Council on Fnvironmental Quality. We 

 believe the controlled or "managed" use of the world's mineral, plant, 

 and animal resources is necessary to the continued life, protection, edu- 

 cation, and welfare of man. We believe such use is also necessary to 

 prevent the population of some species from increasins; to the extent 

 they endan<rer themselves or other species. We believe that if an ample 

 quantity of mineral, plant, or animal resource can be generated by 

 scientific management, there is nothing wrong or inhumane in its 

 limited use by man. We believe that if a resource is threatened from 

 whatever source, its use must be controlled by laws and international 

 conventions: that is, managed in the interests of both man and nature. 



At this point, I offer for the record a news item clipped from the 

 New York Times, Aucrust 22, 1971. issue, relatins: to the overpopula- 

 tion of the gray seals in the Fame Islands off the northern coast of 

 England and the consequent necessity of dispatching nearly half the 

 herd to save the balance. I would like to read some excerpts from this 

 article, which show that nature itself doesn't always do a very good 

 job of management and that man can make a solid management 

 contribution. 



Mr. DiTsroELL. The Chair indicates there is no objection to insertion 

 of these, if they have not already been inserted. 



(The document referred to follow :) 



[Clipping from the New York Times, Aug. 22, 1971] 



Britain Plans to Kill 3,000 Seals on Fabne Isles 



( Special to the New York Times) 



Lfondon, Aug. 22. — Three thousand gray seals on the Fame Islands, off the 

 northeastern coast of England, will be killed over the next three years because of 

 overpopulation. 



