396 



Apropos of the harvesting, then, it would seem to me that a real research 

 effort should be put (a) into the reasons for the population decline, (b) attempts 

 to establish new colonies and allow them to grow, and (c) to find out (as an 

 example under the reasons for the population decline) whether the fur seals 

 themselves are contaminated by mercury, PCB's dieldrin or some similar envi- 

 ronmental contaminant. , , , ,. 



Finally, it seems to me * * * that larger soaal issues should be ad- 

 dressed *' * *. We should put the question to the Bureau of Commercial Fish- 

 eries by way of the Congress whether a consuming harvest of fur seals is the 

 primary or the only valid use of this population of animals. The Federal gov- 

 ernment has put in an investment of time and money in research and manage- 

 ment of the fur seal, based on the funds that come hack from killing and skin- 

 ning these animals. We should ask whether in fact they should not feel obliged 

 to make a similar effort to develop other forms of use of the islands, such as 

 tourism. Many visitors would be attracted to see the fur seals and the huge 

 bird colonies on these islands — see Lindblad, etc. 



Mr. Chairman, as you know, the Lindblad firm is an organizer and 

 promoter of such tours. 



If the resource is developed for a variety of non-consuming uses, then the 

 pressure for this consuming use is somewhat lessened. I think we should ask 

 Bob Davis (Resource Economist, National Audubon Society) whether he thinks 

 that there aren't a fair amount of data to support the idea that the economy 

 of the islands would profit more by expanded tourist trade. I think we could 

 make a point that the number of people who would profit (a) economically from 

 being in the business, and (b) from enjoying the resource, would be expanded by 

 this kind of use. This positive effect should especially be felt if it were asso- 

 ciated with attempts to form new colonies of fur seals in several other areas 

 where tourism might be developed. 



It would seem to me that the point of economic development should be made 

 in association with the Association on American Indian AfPairs which has an 

 oflace in New York. At present the Pribilof Aleuts are in a relatively feudal cir- 

 cumstance in which the semicaptive people are required to partake in a brutaliz- 

 ing form of livelihood. The Aleuts, if they are at all similar to the Eskimos I 

 have known, are eminently suitable for tourist trade in their outgoing personal- 

 ities and general friendliness. They, like any people including our own, are 

 readily brutalized and certain elements of the population seem to be predisposed 

 to brutality — ^but not all. It would seem to me that we ought to make the point 

 that the Aleuts ought to have more choice of a variety of uses for the resources 

 on their island. It would be helpful if they get men like Howard Rock, a native 

 Alaskan Eskimo, in to discuss the whole aspect of this problem before the Society 

 comes out on issues which they may not understand — by they, I mean the Eskimo. 

 Bill Byler, of the Association on American Indian Affairs, is the person to talk 

 to on this. 



Mr. Chairman, H.E. 10420 would provide the directive and machin- 

 ery for accomplishing a new look with fresh eyes at the Pacific fur 

 seal program, and also needed investigations of the condition, and 

 opportunities for improved management and protection, of other ma- 

 rine mammals. We endorse H.R. 10420 in principle, although we 

 strongly urge the following amendment concerning the qualifications 

 of individuals to be recommended by the Chairman of the Council on 

 Environmental Quality for appointment by the President to the 

 Marine Mammals Commission : 



On page 16, line 3, after the word management, and before the 

 period, insert : "who have not been nor are in a position to profit from 

 the taking, processing or sale of marine mammals, their skins, or other 

 parts." 



Unless such an amendment is adopted, there will be great pre^ure 

 put on the Chairman of CEQ and the President for representation on 

 the Commission of the fur industry or other commercial and indus- 

 trial interests whose purpose is exploitation, not conservation. 



