388 



It was neither a profitmaking or loss operation, so we are nc ^t sug- 

 gesting that the Government motivation is economic, but we cei tainly 

 suggest there are various groups that have very specific eccnomif* 

 interests in the fur seal. 



Mr. Potter. Thank you. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Gentlemen, the committee is grateful to you for a 

 very helpful statement and we appreciate your kindness and courtesy. 



Thank you very much. 



Our next witness is Mr. Robert L. Horstman, Sea Mammal Moti- 

 vational Institute of Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Fla. 



We would appreciate it if you would identify yourself fully for the 

 record by name and address and organization. 



STATEMENT OF ROBERT L. HORSTMAN, DIRECTOR, SEA MAMMAL 

 MOTIVATIONAL INSTITUTE, OCEAN REEF CLUB, KEY LARGO, 

 FLA. 



Mr. Horstman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I am Robert Horstman, of the Sea Mammal Motivational Institute, 

 Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Fla. 



Thank you for the invitation to address this committee during its 

 deliberations on urgent matters of sea mammal protective legislation. 



Much has been said during the course of this testimony concerning 

 the need that desperately exists to protect, by properly managing, the 

 world's ranging herds of marine mammals and in a few moments, I'll 

 direct my testimony, specifically toward Mr. Anderson's bill H.R. 

 10420, but first, if I may, I'd like a few moments to call to the at- 

 tention of this committee, the plight of the thousands of ocean mam- 

 mals now held in captivity. 



Although they evoke laughter and applause, the ocean mammal 

 performers in the marinelands, circuses, carnivals, public zoos, and 

 roadside shows so popular in this country and the world, are too often 

 tragic figures. The sea mammal in captivity is a pathetic victim to hu- 

 man greed and cruelty, disguised as entertainment. Commonly neglect- 

 ed, often physically abused, and almost without exception kept in 

 boring and monotonous confinement, ocean mammal entertainers need 

 the assistance this committee can afford in the legislation it now 

 considers. 



Marinelands have fostered tremendous caricatures of sea mammals 

 to satisfy their commercial purposes. The tricks trained sea mammals 

 perform don't display the native intelligence of these animals, but 

 rather show us little more than a hungry animal will cooperate to 

 obtain food. But this doesn't satisfy those serious students of marine 

 mammial behavior who believe these creatures are invaluable allies in 

 the bold adventure which this century has seen commerce — the first 

 steps of man under the waters of the sea. These are intelligent and 

 resourceful animals. They should not be allowed into the hands of men 

 who provide only an environment which frustrates this intelligence. 



My submitted testimony at this point, contains a number of specific 

 and well documented examples of man's cruelty and ignorance con- 

 current with the holding of marine mammals for entertainment. In 

 the interest of time, I'll not read them now. But I strongly feel the 

 survival struggles and suffering of these unfortunate creatures, should 

 be noted and recorded for all to see. 



