521 



on killinof and dissection and often dependent on commercial operations 

 for funding, and for supply of victims ; predicated on the assumption 

 that commercial exploitation should be continued or resumed; is not 

 needed. 



The possibility of establishing a cooperative relationship with 

 marine mammals in mutually beneficial projects should be thoroughly 

 investigated. Friendly, partially symbiotic relationshif)S have fre- 

 quently existed in the past between dolphins and primitive people, 

 often forming the basis of fishing cultures. 



Cooperative dolphins, porpoises, and sea lions are presently being 

 utilized in projects undertaken by the U.S. Na\^ at San Diego. The 

 subcommittee has been privileged to hear Mr. Robert Horstman, of 

 the Sea Mammal Motivational Institute, describe cooperative associa- 

 tions with a number of species of marine mammals interacting freely 

 with institute personnel near their research ship off Florida. 



The killing of 200,000 or more stenella dolphins annually by the tuna 

 industry requires immediate special attention. We believe that funds 

 should be established for an accelerated program for developing alter- 

 natives to present purse seining practices, and to achieve methods by 

 which the cetaceans can be separated from the tuna schools to prevent 

 their being netted. Inspectors should be posted aboard the tuna fleets to 

 assess the porpoise mortality, and to rigorously enforce guidelines 

 adopted to prevent it. 



The assertion by the tuna industry, that nets developed with smaller 

 mesh have solved the problem of porpoise mortality, is not corrobo- 

 rated bv scientists such as William Perrin, or by workmen aboard the 

 boats with whom we have been in contact. In any case, the industry 

 should be obliged to prove that the problem is solved, and should 

 entertain no objection to the posting of inspectors aboard its vessels. 



I am anything but reassured by the assertion that the greater effi- 

 ciency conferred by the new nets in terms of time required to clear the 

 set of porpoises will bring about their rapid adoption by the entire 

 industry. It is clear that many captains are going to meet the com- 

 petition of the new nets, if perinitted to do so, by simply cutting short 

 their efforts to free porpoises. 



The present legislation sliould provide an excellent vehicle for the 

 establishment of guidelines for oceanaria in which marine mammals 

 are confined and exhibited. Conditions in many such institutions 

 are truly execrable, and mortality and suffering of the confined 

 animals is quite appalling. 



We are not presuming to suggest detailed guidelines, but we feel that 

 the following points may be helpful : 



1. That the animals be provided with conditions which permit full 

 exercise of motor patterns characteristic of the species. 



2. That social animals not be deprived of social contact. 



3. That institutions be obliged to keep close records of illnesses and 

 mortality, and that in cases where mortality significantly exceeds the 

 mortality which might be expected under natural conditions, the in- 

 stitutions be denied further pemiits for the taking and incarceration 

 of affected species. It is clear that many marine mammals, including 

 walrus, cannot be kept in captivity without excessive mortality, and 

 that no attempt to do so should be made. 



