533 



that populations be at, or near, maximum sustainable levels, and that only the 

 surplus be removed. This is reason enough for even, those interested in killing 

 the ocean mammals to support a prohibition on killing. 



In relation to the nations that participate in the International Whaling Com- 

 mission (I.W.C.) and the rules adopted by the I.W.C. Dr. J. L. McHugh, United 

 States Commissioner and Chairman, International Whaling Commission, sitated : 

 "It would be prudent to take the pessimistic view when the scientific evidence is 

 not verv precise, but when several nations are involved, the majority vote pre- 

 vails" (Statement of Dr. J. L.. McHugh, before U.S. House Foreign Affairs 

 Committee, "The 23rd annual meeting of the International WTialing Commis- 

 sion". July 26, 1971). 



Clearly, in the case of the proposed legislation (H.R. 65;>i), we are dealing 

 with the policies and ethics of one nation, the United States. For this nation, the 

 NPCA suggests that Congress take "the pessimistic view" since the scientific 

 evidence is neither precise enough nor accurate enough to support furtJier 

 killing. 



Pixcept as noted, the NPOA supports the proA-isions of H.R. 6554. We believe 

 that si)eoific additions, corrections, or plaudits for this bill shoxild be: 



1. Ikking (as defined in H.R. 6554) of ocean mamimals (as defined in H.R. 

 6554, but excepting the fur seal) should be prohibited, individually, for each 

 species to allow the affected ocean mammals to reach, or approach, maximum 

 sustainable populations, subject to maintaining a balanced and healthy environ- 

 ment. Also, NPCA believes the Congress should continue to allow, where possi- 

 ble, taking of the ocean mammals by natives where they are dependent on the 

 manmials for food and shelter. 



2. An "Ocean Mammals Review Committee" consisting of at least eight (8) 

 members should be appointed. Said committee might consist of: (1) no more 

 than one (1) member each from the I.W.C, U.S. Department of the Interior, and 

 a non -governmental environmental group such as the NPCA; (2) at lea^ two 

 (2) prominent marine ecologists from U.S. colleges or universities; (3) at least 

 three (3) prominent ocean mammalogi.sts of national or international origin. 



Said Ocean Mammals Review Committee should be directed and funded to 

 administer and support research by competent scientists on the population sizes, 

 life histories, ecology, and behavior of the ocean mammals so that scientifically 

 sound management of these species can be conducted. The Committee should re- 

 port the results of these scientific investigations to this Congressional Subcom- 

 mittee, so that the Congress can be aware of significant findings on, and changes 

 in the status of, ocean mammals. 



The National Parks and Conservation Association has no strong feelings con- 

 cerning who should appoint the Ocean Mammals Review Committee, or what 

 organization the Committee should work under. We want to see that basic bio- 

 logical research is conducted on these mammals, and we want safeguards against 

 having the research be oriented toward killing. There is much basic information 

 still unknown with reference to these mammals : research should be concen- 

 trated on determining this basic information— not on determining new methods 

 of harvest. 



3. It is a very imijortant provision of H.R. 6554 that all importing of products 

 from ocean mammals be discontinuetl for the length of the prohibitions. 



4. Additional protection should be proA-ided for the Florida manatee, since con- 

 ventional power boats are apparently causing population losses (Hartman, D.S. 

 1969. Florida's manatees, mermaids in peril. Nati&nal Geographic magazine. Vol. 

 136(3) : 342-353.). The Committee might consider additional protection for the 

 manatee by excluding outboard motor boats from public coastal waters where 

 manatees concentrate. 



5. It is very important that "accidental" killing of protected species such as 

 the porpoise and dolphin be prohibited and subject to penalties. Recently much 

 attention has l)een given this "accidental" killing {Newsweek magazine, Septem- 

 ber G, 1971. p. 60). Almost no attention has been given the harassment of por- 

 poises on the east coast of the United States by commercial fishermen. Harass- 

 ment by shooting with rifles does occur and should be prohibited. 



6. This Committee and H.R. 6554 should require additional international efforts 

 so that working, workable agreements can be established in order to insure the 

 survival and prosperity of all populations of all species of ocean mammals. 



We thank you again for this in^atation to submit testimony, and we hope you 

 find our recommendations helpful. 



