462 



We do have some constructive development programs, the most 

 notable of which on the Pacific coast is one of reestablishing the sea 

 otter in the Pacific coast. 



In the last 4 or 5 years there has been a very aggressive trapping 

 and transplating program of sea otter. 



The State of Alaska with the cooperation of the Atomic Energy 

 Commission has been graciously providing planting stock for British 

 Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. 



In Oregon's case in the last 2 years we have received 90 sea otter. 

 We received 60 of these this year and it looks very promising. 



The animals are doing fine, Mr. Chairman. They are protected. They 

 are respected by our people and we think we are making great prog- 

 ress in reestablishing this once native animal, depleted back in the 

 1800's. 



Mr. Pelly. Do you have abalone off of Oregon ? 



Mr. McKean. We have a few abalone. We are in the process of try- 

 ing to establish additional abalone and this is a point I would like to 

 bring out as an example of our concern for Federal encroachment or 

 any handicap of the State's authority to manage these animal popula- 

 tions. 



It was not easy for us in the area in Oregon that was most suitable 

 for the reestablishment of the sea otter — it was a very productive 

 bottom fishery commercial area, crabs. We have an abalone develop- 

 ment program in this area. It is the last area we have the sea otter, the 

 area where sea otters were most abundant in the history of the State 

 and has the kelp beds and other conditions that are suitable for that 

 animal. 



We worked hard and long with the commercial fishing industry in 

 trying to get them to accept the introduction of the sea otter. 



The fishing industry was concerned from publicity coming from 

 the State of California about the sea otter as a predator upon abalone, 

 upon crabs, and other species that are of great economic value. 



With our assurance that it was our intent when we got these ani- 

 mals established to manage them and not allow them to become so 

 abundant they were going to seriously conflict with other values, we 

 have had their cooperation. They agreed to this thing. They are 

 cooperating. They are assisting us in giving us site records on where 

 these animals are. 



They are also assisting us in the protection and I fear anything that 

 would cause them to lose confidence that the State would manage these 

 animals is going to jeopardize our stock of sea otter on the Oregon 

 coast. 



Tliey have the means, and law or no law, they could eliminate this 

 population of animals. 



For this reason, we feel that flexibility in management is an essen- 

 tial thing with any of these populations of animals and I am not de- 

 grading the need for protection of the blue whale, the gray whale, 

 or the other species that are in some jeopardy. 



Now, the International agrees wholeheartedly that there is a need 

 for the Federal Government to exercise a greater role in the pro- 

 tection and management of the animals that are outside the juris- 

 diction of the respective States. 



