448 



From 1960 to 1969 I lived in Nome on the west coast, northwest 

 coast, working specifically on marine mammals. 



Since 1969 I have been in Fairbanks, continuing the work with 

 marine mammals, basically trying to integrate the field work that 

 has been accomplished to date. 



We have devoted a lot of time to the study of a variety of species 

 and much of this work is in the process of being summarized. 



To go on with the siunmary, investigation, management and pro- 

 tection programs within Alaska are presently directed toward marine 

 mammals as well as the other fish and wildlife species. 



Six senior biologists representing 72 man-months of full-time effort 

 per year are presently involved in the research and management of 

 Alaska's marine mammals. 



These investigators are additionally supported by 48 man-months 

 of temporary assistant time and 12 man-months of enforcement effort. 



I might point out that each employee, including the biologists, is 

 designated as an enforcement officer with regard to fish and game 

 regulations. 



Effective regulations are considered and promulgated by the Alaska 

 Board of Fish and Game as necessary. 



Furthermore, the department has the authority to initiate emer- 

 gency regulations whenever they are necessary. 



Perhaps in the course of some following questions and answers this 

 point should be kept in mind and that is the authority to regulate 

 on an emergency basis, the authority or the procedures for promul- 

 gating our regulations on an annual basis and the procedures in effect 

 for promulgating or maintaining regulations over a rather long period 

 of time, all, of course, are obviously necessarj^ for successful 

 management. 



With regard to the management and enforcement efforts as applied 

 to resources harvested outside of the territorial waters of the State, 

 including marine mammals, various laws have been applied to all 

 persons leaving from and returning to the State. 



This has been necessary in order to maintain a viable protection and 

 management program aimed at those species occurring and/or being 

 harvested outside the State's territorial waters. 



This, of course, does not apply specifically or solely to marine mam- 

 mals but also to our other very valuable resources including the king 

 crab, our salmon, crabs — quite a variety of marine resources. 



The preceding comments are intended to demonstrate that the State 

 of Alaska has a sound, flexible, and most, important, responsive man- 

 agement protection program. 



This program is currently contributing to the welfare of those 

 marine mammal species of importance to Alaska residents with the 

 exception of the California, bowhead and beluga whales and northern 

 fur seals whidi are now subject to Federal jurisdiction. 



By and large the State endoi-ses H.R. 10420 but obviously have 

 several reservations. 



First of all, we feel that as written, House bill 10420 would assert 

 Federal jurisdiction over populations which are, in fact, resident in 

 the State of Alaska. 



My colleagues who preceded me this morning gave a very good 

 account based on the scientific information that they have gathered 



