535 



funds for husbandry programs to assist animal propagation where it is found 

 to be feasible and necessary. Similarly, efforts should be undertaken to reestab- 

 lish species in native areas from which they have disappeared or become extinct 

 as a result of man's activities. It is hoped that the research provision of this 

 act would not preclude cooi)e ration with state programs of wildlife research, 

 pooling resources with university research programs, or sponsoring the con- 

 tinued work of marine biologists and noted authorities on ocean mammals. Con- 

 sideration should also l)e given to establishment of state cooperative ocean mam- 

 mals research units which would be similar in purpo.se and function to existing 

 cooperative fishery and wildlife research units. 



The importance of developing an international program cannot be over- 

 emphasized, for without cooperation, the endeavors and indeed the purpose of 

 this legislation risk being thwarted at their inception. We strongly endorse 

 the import restrictions and suggest that they he strengthened by requirements 

 that all ocean mammals (and derivative products such as skins, tusks, oil, etc.) 

 commercially taken by authority of this act or by international agreement bear 

 a tag or other form of identification. 



It is our hope that the various species of sea turtle will be added to the list 

 of animals to be protected under this act. Harvested to the point of extinction, 

 their remarkable homing instinct has long intrigued .scientists and provided 

 endless wonder to laymen. Although they are not mammals, in every other 

 respect they qualify for. and badly neefl protection. 



Finally, we would like to call attention to the grave danger, particularly to 

 porpoises, inherent in the acts' definition of the term "take," .specifically the 

 phrase, "but such term does not include the taking of marine mammals which 

 occurs as an incident to commercial fi.shing operations," (Sec. 3(4)). It has 

 been estimated that some 200,000 porpoises die each year in tuna purse seine 

 nets, a staggering and tragic waste that will continue unless this phra.se is 

 deleted from the act. Furthermore, it is urgent that priority be given to inves- 

 tigation of the causes of porpoise mortality in net and that scientists and com- 

 mercial fishermen cooperate in redesigning nets and procedures to permit max- 

 imum escapement. 



The Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1971 merits your consideration as 

 the best approach to this most neces.sary legislation. Although we believe it 

 could be imiproved, especially by the moratorium provision, this act neverthe- 

 less represents a major step toward a better environment and a singular accom- 

 plishment of this Committee. We urge Congress to enact this legislation. 



Statement of Brian T>. Davies, Executive Director, International Fund 



FOR Animal Welfare Inc. 



The International Fund for Animal Welfare with 40,000 members in 26 coun- 

 tries supix)rt the principles embodied in S. 1315 and H.R. 655S. 



This writer makes no claim to exi>ertise on all marine mammals, but he has 

 had considerable experience with harp seals. On six consecutive occasions he 

 has witnessed the annual barbarism at the Gulf of St. Lawrence baby seal 

 clubbing festival. 



On every occasion he has obtained evidence of cruelty. In 1971, for example, 

 two men were seen to hold down on its back what was apparently a live baby 

 seal while a third man proceeded to cut up its middle preparatorj- to skinning it. 

 In addition, the evident mat^emal concern of the female adults is a iwwerful 

 argument again.st the killing of this threatened species. 



A Gallup Poll undertaken in Canada by a reputable fact finding organization 



(Canadian Facts Co., Ltd., Toronto. Ont.) produced the following expression 



of Canadian public opinion : 



Percent of 

 total adult 

 Canadians 



Have heard of .seal hunt 74 



(100) 



Feel there is significant cruelty 64 



Feel there is no real cruelty 23 



No opinion 13 



In favour of stopping the hunt 54 



Against stopping the hunt 22 



No opinion 24 



67-765 O - 71 - 35 



