364 



em Pacific Seal Convention and is prepared to cancel it. When this 

 was called to my attention, I wrote to the organization that handles 

 all seal exports from the Soviet Union and inquired as to the position 

 of that organization (the Soviet Export-Import Trading Co., V/0 

 Sojuzpushnina, Moscow) on the matter of the convention. I have with 

 me a statement on the subject, which has been mailed to me m reply 

 to my inquiry. 



In order that the attitude of the Soviets m relation to the convention 

 may be of record here, I respectfully request that the original and the 

 translation of the communication I received be made part of the 



record. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Without objection, so ordered. 



Mr. Dreisin. I will read for the benefit of the committee members 

 the certified English translation so that the members may know that 

 this Soviet organization is as anxious as we are about the continuation 

 and extension of the convention and that it is as proud as the U.S. fur 

 industry is of the success of the conservation program for which the 

 1911 and 1957 conventions were designed. 



(Translation is as follows:) 



The Hunting of Fur Seals ^ 



The North Pacific fur seal is one of the sea animals valued for the beauty of 

 its fur. 



In the pursuit of profits during many decades of the late 19th and early 20th 

 centuries, there was uncontrolled annihilation of these animals, including and 

 by dint of the widespread growth of rapacious sea hunting. This brought about 

 a radical decline in the seal population. 



A seal convention was entered into in 1911. This convention was signed by 

 the U.S.A., England, Russia and Japan. This convention was supposed to en- 

 courage a more rational use of seal resources, however, due to various reasons 

 this convention, in subsequent years, lost its effectiveness. 



In 1957, a temporary convention for the preservation of fur seals in the north- 

 ern part of the Pacific was renegotiated between the U.S.S.R., U.S.A., Canada 

 and Japan. The basis for the convention was the recognition of the principle of 

 rational exploitation of the seal resources and the first action taken was the 

 prohibition of the hunting on the high seas. 



The adherence by all countries participating in the convention and the admin- 

 istration of the seal harvest on a scientific basis has reflected favorably in the 

 seal resources whose quantities have grown considerably. This has facilitated 

 a larger harvest which at the same time did not impede the constant growth of 

 the herd. 



A biological i>eculiarity of the fur seal is to be found in its polygamous way of 

 life, under which condition the normal growth of the herd is predicated on a 

 grown male needing 40 to 50 females. This situation permits a fully rational ex- 

 ploitation of the seal resources, removing only the young immature males, in the 

 age bracket between 3 and 4 years, and leaving all females and baby seals for 

 the further development of the herd. 



The temporary convention for the preservation of fur seals can serve as a 

 shining example of international cooperation for the rational exploitation of the 

 living resources of the sea. 



The Soviet Union will continue to adhere to its international obligations and 

 will continue the seal harvest observing the provisions of the convention with 

 a view to further increase the number of herds. 



Mr. Dreisin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

 Mr. DiNGELL. Are there any questions ? 



Mr. Sharp. Mr. Chairman, may I say just a word before you start 

 the questions? 



1 Certified Translation of body of communication from Soviet BTport-Import Trading 

 Co., V/O Sojuzpushnina, Moscow, to Eugene Dreisin (Russian version attached). Septem- 

 ber 17, l©?!. 



