509 



Daniel A. Poole, president of the Wildlife Management Institute; and Ira N. 

 Gabrielson, president of World Wildlife Fund. 



The letter to House and Senate Members, which was accompanied by a com- 

 prehensive fact sheet, was signed by Harold J. Coolidge, honorary chairman of 

 the American Committee for International Wild Life Protection ; Robert F. 

 Hutton, secretary of American Fisheries Society ; William E. Towell, executive 

 vice president of American Forestry Association ; Frederick C. Pullman, presi- 

 dent of the Boone and Crockett Club ; Spencer M. Smith, Jr., secretary of the 

 Citizens Committee on Natural Resources ; Chester F. Phelps, president of the 

 International Association of Game, Fish, and Conservation Commissioners; 

 Joseph W. Penfold, conservation director of the Izaak Walton League of America ; 

 Maxwell E. Rich, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association of 

 America ; Thomas L. Kimball, executive director of the National Wildlife Federa- 

 tion ; C. R. Gutermuth, secretary of the North American Wildlife Foundation ; 

 Richard H. Stroud, executive vice president of the Sport Fishing Institute ; Ray 

 A. Kotrla, Washington representative of Trout Unlimited, Daniel A. Poole, presi- 

 dent of the Wildlife Management Institute ; Fred G. Evenden, executive director 

 of the Wildlife Society ; and Ira N. Gabrielson, president of the World Wildlife 

 Fund. 



In order that the contents of these letters can be shared with the Members of 

 this Body and all those who read the Congressional Record, I ask unanimous 

 consent that they be printed in the Record. 



There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in the Record, 

 as follows : 



June 18, 1971. 

 To all Members of the House and Senate: 



An organized press and television campaign is underway to solicit support 

 for banning the taking of certain marine mammals. House and Senate bills to 

 accomplish this are H.R. 6554, S. 1315, and others. 



The undersigned national conservation organizations believe such a step 

 would interfere wdth the needed scientific management of these interesting and 

 valuable animals. Some of these highly migratory animals can be managed 

 only through international agreements. Others come under the various jurisdic- 

 tions of federal and state government. 



Total protection, as is being urged, would halt a number of management 

 programs, some of which have been remarkably successful. The application of 

 science, not emotion, has brought back the fur seal and the sea otter from the 

 shadows of extinction to their thriving and productive population levels of 

 today. 



Total protection also would make it impossible to manage any population of 

 marine mammals even though, under future circumstances, a culling may be desir- 

 able in the interest of man or to reduce local overpopulations that usually are 

 detrimental to the species itself. In some cases, protection also would eliminate 

 urgently needed sources of income to Eskimos, Aleuts, and Indians and revenue 

 for state and federal treasuries, as well. 



We believe that adoption of .such a negative policy would be a serious mistake. 

 We believe the government should strengthen its management authorities, in- 

 eluding providing more funds and manpower, and should explore new and more 

 effective international agreements. We believe that there is no substitute for 

 scientific fact when it comes to assuring the i)erpetuation of any species. 



The accomi>anying fact sheets provide more detailed information on the 

 status and management opportunities for marine mammals, should you have 

 the time or need to read them. 

 Sincerely, 



Harold J. Coolidge, Robert F. Hatton, William E. Towell, Frederick 

 C. Pullman. Spencer M. Smith, Jr., Chester F. Phelps, Joseph W. 

 Penfold, Maxwell E. Rich, Thomas L. Kimball, C. R. Gutermuth, 

 Richard H. Stroud. Ray A. Kotrla, Daniel A. Poole, Fred G. Even- 

 den, and Ira N. Gabrielson. 



The Harvest of the Peibilof Seals 



The northern fur seal is a creature of the high seas, the open water. It comes 

 ashore only to breed and bear its young. 



Each year the fur seals leave the mist-shrouded rookery islands of the North 

 Pacific to migrate as far south as California, as far west as Japan. And each year 



