447 



We have in Alaska little direct influence from the standpoint of 

 harvesting or influence from the standpoint of investigations of the 

 larger cetaceans, the sperm whale, fin whale, minke whales, and others. 

 We have a very great interest in the beluga whale and in the bowhead 

 whale and in the California and gray ^'hale, three of which are used 

 by Alaskan residents to a limited degree. 



It should be pointed out that the bowhead whale and the gray whale 

 are actually utilized because of special provisions of the International 

 Whaling Commission. 



The marine mammals of direct importance to Alaskans include, in 

 addition to the whales just mentioned, the Pacific walrus, the ringed 

 seal, the ice oceanic harbor seal, the ribbon seal, the bearded seal, the 

 polar bear, the land breeding harbor seal, the sea otter and the Steller's 

 seta lions. 



This is a major segment of the animals included in H.R. 10420. 



Certainly H.R. 10420 is deserving of much commendation especially 

 in light of previously introduced legislation which, from the stand- 

 point of many people, particularly our own Alaskan residents depend- 

 ent on resources such as marine mammals, w^as not very acceptable. 



Rather than go through a great lengthly prepared statement I should 

 perhaps refer to the summary. We could go point by point to each of 

 these species that I have mentioned, but I am sure that there will be 

 many questions concerning specific species and that some time can be 

 saved here. 



The summaiy of our position paper is as follows : 



Marine mammals occurring in the waters adjacent to Alaska and 

 Avhich apparently are utilized to some degree by Alaskan residents 

 include Stellers sea lion, sea otter, harvest seal, ribbon seal, ring seal, 

 bearded seal, Pacific walrus, polar bear and California gray whale. 



As previously mentioned, except for the bowheaded and California 

 gray whales, the State of Alaska is presently engaged in research and 

 management programs of most marine mammal species of major 

 importance. 



The constitution of the State of Alaska states that fish, forests, wild- 

 life, grasslands and other replenishable resources belonging to the 

 State shall be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield 

 principle subject to preferences among beneficial uses. 



Article 8, section 4, constitution of the State of Alaska, according to 

 Alaskan statutes, title 16, section 160502, the commission of the de- 

 partment of fish and game shall manage, protect, maintain, improve 

 and extend the fisliing, game and aquatic plant resources of the State 

 in the interest of economy and general well being of the State. 



Obviously, both documents indicate rather great responsibilities and 

 the mandate set forth by the constitution and the statutes are presently 

 being met by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 



Incidentally, I failed at your request to identify myself and perhaps 

 this is the time. 



My name is John Burns. I am an employee of the Alaska Department 

 of Fish and Game and function in the capacity of marine mammals 

 biologist and also for a very short period of time as regional research 

 coordinator for region 3, which is Alaska north of the Alaska Range 

 to Point Barrow. 



I went to Alaska in 1960. 



