466 



ent weather and predation have contributed to past population declines. Legal 

 protection is now afforded fhe manatee throughout Florida, the area of its 

 present distribution. The Everglades National Park is the largest sanctuary for 

 the manatee in the country. There is no known evidence to indicatbe that the 

 population is continuing to decline. Passage of H.R. 65o4 or H.R. 1(M20 would 

 provide no additional protection over that now afforded the animal. 



Recent research on polar bear indicates that discrete populations occur off 

 the Arctic coast of Alaska. These animals are harvested on a sustained yield 

 basis with open seasions being limited to males or females without cubs. Popula- 

 tion estimates, plus sex and age information obtained from harvested bears, 

 indicate that from 200 to 300 animals can be taken annually without depleting 

 the population. In 1970, the state of Alaska limited the nuimber of polar bear 

 permits to 300. Harvest information will continue to be recorded, and the jjermit 

 numbers adjusted in aeoordance with the population status. 



Some control of polar bear numbers is necessary because of their effects on 

 other animal populations. Diet items of the polar bear include the Ribbon SeaL 

 As indicated previously, Ribbon Seal numbers are down because of excessive 

 seialing activities by the Russian fleet. Uncontrolled polar bear numbers could 

 reduce this population even fiirther. Protection offered by H.R. 6554 or 10420 

 would be adversely effecting one population while attempting to increase an- 

 other. 



Historically the Northern Fur Seal has been managed' by the federal govern- 

 ment. Under a controlled harvest programi, fur seal have increased from about 

 200,000 in 1911 to a present i)opulation of an estimated 1.3 million. Harvests 

 are limited primarily to bachelor bulls with females being taken only when it 

 is necessary to maintain the population at the most productive level possible. 

 Studies have shown that overcrowded fur seal rookeries can cause a 20 percent 

 loss in annual production. The International Association recommjenids that the 

 controlled harvest of Northern Fur Seals be continued to maintain i>opulations 

 in balance with the Pribilof Islands habitat and to maintain the existing North 

 Pacific Fur Seal Treaty. 



Because of the pelagic habits of most whales, porpoises and dolphins plus the 

 fact that they spend considerable time in international waters, it is recommended 

 that management responsibility for these animals, excluding the beluga and 

 killer whales, be assuaned by the federal govemmenit Where not presently in 

 effect, international treaties sihould be established with other nations that make 

 use of cetaceans in order to initiate a controlled management program. 



In summary, the International Association of State Game, Fish and Oon^rva- 

 tiom Commissioners respectfully recommends that H.R. 10420 be amended so 

 that it complements state management programs for marine mammals by 

 assuming responsibility for protection and management of marine mammals in 

 waters that are beyond the three-mile state jurisdiction, by reserving title and 

 management authority to the states for marine mammals residing within state 

 waters and by aiding the states in the design and implementation of needed 

 marine mammals programs. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Does that complete your statement ? 



Mr. McKean. Well, I think, Mr. Chairman and members of the sub- 

 committee, that I have made my points. 



"We see no merit in H.R. 6554. 



We think that H.R. 10420 when applied to those species that are 

 primarily inhaJbiting territorial and international waters is a step 

 in the right direction. 



We feel by all means the resident animals that live immediately along 

 the coast should continue to be subject to the i>rotection and manage- 

 ment of the respective States. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. McKean, we certainly thank you for your very 

 kind and helpful testimony. 



The committee is grateful to you. You have come a great distance 

 and we are sorry, indeed, that you had the indignity inflicted on you 

 that you did and the Chair expresses his regrets on the particular 

 point. 



