515 



iMANATEE 



The manatee is given complete protection as an endangered species by both 

 state and federal governments. 



June 9, 1971. 

 Hon. RicHABD M. NrxoN, 

 The White House, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dbab Mr. President : Programs for the protection and scientific management 

 of marine mammals are being threatened by well-publicized but misguided efforts 

 which, if successful, would destroy the conduct of biologically sound activities of 

 state and federal conservation agencies. 



Conservation of this varied group of animals has been a long and arduous battle 

 in the face of indifference and exploitation. Their management has been made 

 more difficult by the international movements of several of the species involved 

 and insufficient knowledge concerning their habitat requirements. Progress has 

 been and is being made, however. 



•Some animals, such as the fur seals and sea otter, have been restored to pro- 

 ductive numbers. Research is underway into the life histories, habitats, and 

 movements of others. 



Much more can be done. This will require the understanding and support of the 

 Administration, support which no Administration heretofore has seen fit to confer 

 in any degree commensurate with the need. Your Administration could gain 

 much support and commendation by requesting adequate authorities and funds 

 to bring federal programs for marine mammals up to necessary levels and by 

 seeking new and more effective international understanding. 



Should these many years of progress be imdermined by a complete "hands 

 off" policy forced upon responsible fish and wildlife agencies, such as proposed 

 by S. 1315 and similar House bills, marine mammals under scientific man'age- 

 ment would suffer a serious set back. 



In essence, the issue is whether natural resources will be protected, managed 

 and used on a scientific basis or whether they are to be regarded as something 

 apart from and unaffected by man. 



As has been amply demonstrated by the successful management and restora- 

 tion of other wildlife resources, the latter course is unacceptable. Decisions re- 

 garding the well-being of any wildlife resource must be based on fact, not on 

 emotion. 



The following national conservation organization respectfully request that 

 you support programs to improve domestic and international management of 

 marine mammals. Further, we urge the Administration to oppose S. 1315 and 

 similar House bills as being a negative response to a resource management 

 responsibility that should be accepted by the Federal and State Governments. 

 Sincerely, 



William E. Towell. Spencer M. Smith, Chester F. Phelps, Joseph W. 

 Penfold, Charles H. Callison, Maxwell E. Rich, C. R. Guter- 

 muth, Richard H. Stroud, Fred G. Evenden, Ray A. Kotria, Dan- 

 iel A. Poole, and Ira N. Gabrielson. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Poole, the committee is grateful to you for your 

 very helpful statement and we certainly thank you for your patience. 



Any questions ? 



Mr. Poole, again we thank you. As always, it is a pleasure to have 

 you here. We have detained you long, but the Chair wants you to 

 understand when we have this number of witnesses it is not always easy 

 to schedule according to the wishes of the Chair or the individual 

 wishes of the witnesses. 



Our next witness is listed as Mr. Joseph Penfold of the Izaak 

 Walton League. 



I see we have Mr. Ted Pankowski, director of environmental af- 

 fairs, in his stead. 



Mr. Ted Pankowski is another old and respected friend of the Chair. 



