532 



to their suffering." Thus began a campaign th.at has not only shaken the 

 Oanr.dian Government but has also awakened the conscience of many United 

 States citizens. We are aware that we have a parallel .situation with the marine 

 mammals under our jurisdiction. It is noted that, in 1969, the Canadi'an counter- 

 part to our Department of the Interior announced that no baby seals or white- 

 co,ats would be killed in 1970. Yet at the end of that season, Davies reported 

 that the 1970 hunt was as bloody, brutal and sadistic as that of 1969. Further- 

 more, from one eyewitness of the 1971 slaughter, there was no real improvement. 



We, in the United States, are fortunate in having a Congress that is more 

 responsive to the will of the people. It provides opportunities such as this 

 hearing where views can be expressed with the hope of responsive action. 

 However, some are concerned lest the Congress place all resix)nsibility in the 

 hands of the Secretary of the Interior. If through a succession of secretaries, 

 under different administrations, the program of predatory mammal control can- 

 not be brought in check, we have little faith that the Department would be .any 

 more effective in the control of mammal killing for sport and profit. 



WTiile the Secretaries of Interior, Commerce and State Department all have 

 present authority, the necessary additional limitations should be subject to 

 frequent review by the Congress. This authority should not be surrendered 

 to the .administrative branch of the Government. 



Since there is a dispute of data on the decline in numbers of some si)ecies 

 and there is the question of the danger of extinction of others, it is suggested 

 that there should be a five year moratorium on all killing except where gov- 

 erned by treaty. During that time, studies should be made and a management 

 program submitted to Congress for action. The existing treaties should also be 

 opened for renegotiation. It is apparent that the climate for world cooperation 

 is improving and we have an opportimity for constructive leadership. 



It is noted that one of the worst situations stems from the accidental killing 

 of porpoises in connection with tuna fishing. Purse-netting is taking a very heavy 

 toll on one of the most intelligent species on our earth. The claim of the industry 

 that this destruction cannot be avoided is more a matter of inertia and con- 

 venience than fact. If this practice is excepted from a general moratorium, it 

 should be related to research in finding ways to save the porpoises. 



Statement op John W. Grandy, Administrative Assistant, Wildlife at the 

 National Parks and CoNSBaivATioN Association 



My name is John W. Grandy, IV, 1701 18th Street, NW.. Washington. D.C., 20009. 

 I am administrative assistant for Wildlife at the National Parks and Conser- 

 vation Association. I appreciate the invitation of the committee to testify. 



The National Parks and Conservation Association is the leading national con- 

 servation organization concerned primarily with the protection o£ the National 

 Park SysteA, but also with other major environmental and conservation sub- 

 jects such as wildlife and fore^ry. 



The NPCA is an independent private non-profit membership institution, edu- 

 cational and scientific in character, with nearly 55,000 members throughout the 

 United States and abroad, all of whom receive the monthly National Parks and 

 Conservation Magazine : The IDnviPommental Journal. 



Initially, the National Parks and Conservation Association recommends that 

 provi^ons concerning the Pribilof fur seals and the associated treaty be deleted 

 from H.R. 6554, since a relaxation or elimination of the treaty could mean 

 mass extermination of the seals. Also the treaty provides clear evidence that 

 substantive and workable international agreements can have a positive effect on 

 the protection of life. 



It is clear to this point, from discussions in this Committee and tliroughout 

 the world, that stocks of most whales have been seriously depleted. The record 

 in this regard has been fully covered by others (Statement of Tom Garrett, 

 before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Groups and 

 Organizations, July 26, 1971 ) ; however, we still do not have an accurate estimate 

 in many cases of the extent of the depletion. Some of the other ocean mammals 

 such as walruses are not in immediate danger of extinction ; but in some cases, 

 the populations are recovering from past onslaughts (i.e., sea otter), or suc- 

 cxunbing to present onslaughts (i.e., polar bear). In any case, the populations of 

 the other species of ocean mammals are not at, or near, maximum sustainable 

 levels. Certainly, any theory promoting maximum sustainable yield requires 



