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that the takin*? of seals on the Pribilof Islands by the method of club- 

 bing is humane. I have also noted that a special panel of veterinarians 

 reported that the annual harvesting of seals on the Pribilof Islands 

 was "highly efficient and humane." 



For me to challenge that report and the statement by Mr. Stans 

 would seem presumptuous. However, there are many thousands of 

 intelligent and responsible persons throughout this country who do 

 not agree with this conclusion, one such person being Mr. McMahon 

 who has witnessed the clubbing of these seals for the last 4 years. In 

 saying this, I do not question the integrity or credentials of those 

 veterinarians making the study. However, I do question the circum- 

 stances under which both they and Mr. Stans observed this hunt. 



Mr. Stans witnessed one kill for approximately one-half hour. He 

 did not witness the drive from the rookeries. The veterinarians, on the 

 other hand, were present for 1 entire week, a reasonably adequate 

 time to observe all aspects of the taking of these animals. In both 

 cases, however, their presence was well publicized as well as the reason 

 for their being there. Now it does not take much imagination to realize 

 that when one is being put to the test, he will be especially careful 

 to perform according to the expectations of those observing him. Most 

 of us attempt to put our best foot forward when we are aware that 

 it is greatly to our advantage to do so. I submit, therefore, gentlemen, 

 that this particular observation was not an altogether accurate barom- 

 eter of what, in fact, has happened in conjunction with taking of 

 the seals on other occasions. 



But let me also be perfectly clear in stating that I am not suggest- 

 ing that the Aleuts practice deliberate brutality. Our organization has 

 never made such an accusation. Nor have we offered the opinion that 

 some of these seals are skinned alive. Rather, we have noted that while 

 it is, in fact, possible to kill one or even a hundred seals humanely 

 by the method now being employed, there are many that are not killed 

 with a single blow for various reasons, one of which has to do with the 

 efficiency and skill of the man yielding the club. Obviously, it is not 

 possible for every man, on every occasion, to be 100-percent accurate. 

 Nor is it possible to control the movement of the seal about to be 

 clubbed. It is neither the intent nor the conscientiousness of the man 

 wielding the club that we question, but a system which is both anti- 

 quated and repulsive. And for reasons I have already suggested, as 

 well as many others which I shall not list at this time, it is, by the 

 standards of many concerned persons, both cruel and inhumane. 



It is our contention that this Government, which on numerous occa- 

 sions has declared humaneness to be a matter of public policy, should 

 pursue with great deliberation a more humane method of slaughtering 

 these seals. There is no little suspicion that the F.S. Department of 

 the Interior, and more recently the Department of Commerce, has 

 been more concerned to justify'the clubbing of the seals than to seek 

 an alternative method for their slaughter. I urge, therefore, gentle- 

 men, that vou consider most seriouslv the indignation that many of us 

 feel regarding this method of slaughter and provide for the exploration 

 of an alternative method that is totally humane and esthetically accept- 

 able if this activity of killing seals is to continue. 



Toward that end. I stronglv recommend that the Marine Mammal 

 Commission called for in this bill be established and that it be empow- 



