I 435 



7. A comprehensive long-term program of cetacean research, involving a very 

 substantial increase in the number of scientists engaged in the field and in avail- 

 able research facilities, including special ships, should be planned and imple- 

 mented as soon as possible. 



Sidney J. Holt, Chairman ; 



K. Allen, L. Boerema. D. Chapman. T. Doi. M. Dunbar. Y. I<"ukuda, 

 J. Gulland, R. Laws, J. McHugh. S. MeVay, M. Xishiwaki. K. Xor- 

 ris, R. Payne, Members. 



Mr. Lennon. Mr. Rountree ? 



Mr. Rountree. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I notice on the bill as it is presently written we have established, or 

 would establish a marine mammal commission, assuming its enact- 

 ment in its present form, what would be the net impact and effect and/ 

 or relationship with this marine mammal commission under H.R. 

 10420, and the existing Commission such as the Tuna Commission, Fur 

 Seal Commission, the Whaling Commission, and any others for that 

 matter, once we have enacted the bill in its present form? 



Do we have some conflict? Do these go out of existence? 



Would the Marine Mammal Commission substitute or take the place 

 of these other Commissions as far as fulfilling our treaty obligations? 

 . What really would happen here ? 



Dr. Ray. No, the Fur Seal Commission, for instance, is interna- 

 tional, the IWC is an international commission. 



There will be conflicts, I certainly would think, with certain agen- 

 cies, both State and Federal, but I prefer to think these conflicts 

 exist from the point of view of the people who think there will be con- 

 flicts. 



In other words, I do not think that there need be a conflict where 

 somebody else might feel there is. 



I believe this Commission should serve, rather than to conflict, to aid 

 the existing agencies, to take them off the hook, in a sense. 



It would be broad enough to encompass the data from the various 

 State and Federal agencies, but not to sit in pious judgment of those 

 agencies, but let it aid them, through the Scientific Advisory Com- 

 mittee in reaching decisions that are broader than any one agency 

 can contemplate through its mission. 



Now, this is my attitude. I think as a counsel, as a lawyer, you would 

 have to iron the rest of it out on a legal basis rather than on a theoret- 

 ical basis. 



Mr. Rountree. Thank you. 



We have heard an awful lot of testimony that one of the prime and 

 important aspects of any type of legislation in this area is that there 

 is a greater need for more emphasis on a comprehensive research 

 capability, not only on a State-local and Federal level, but also on 

 the international front. 



We have asked the Department of Commerce to submit their views 

 on what this research program would be, what form it should take, 

 and what level of fimding. 



I would like to ask you whether or not you feel that the bill in its 

 present form might be somewhat deficient in the sense that it does 

 not provide for a grant-in-aid type of system. What level of funding 

 do you feel is necessary and what direction should we go in this regard. 



Dr. Ray. Through our program we have gotten some experience 

 in this, as well as some of the difficulties involved. 



