546 



Unless some controls are imposed, the future of our wonderful ocean mammais 

 is under severe threat. I actually iM'lieve, however, that the draftors of the Bill 

 completely overlooked the "oceanarium" industry. There are a number of profit- 

 making institutions throughout the country who in no way intend to slaughter 

 or harrass any of the ocean mammals mentioned in your Bill. Quite the opposite 

 is true. Organizations such as ourselves, Marineland of Flordia, Miami Sea- 

 quarium. Sea World at San Diego, Marine World at Redwood City, California, 

 Sea Life Park in Hawaii, Aquarium at Niagara Falls, New York, and a number 

 of other fine establishments, are all tax-paying entities. 



While total taxes r id are hard to determine for the group as a whole, it defi- 

 nitely adds up to millions of dollars — counting Federal, State, and local taxes 

 of various kinds. Total employment is in the thousands, overall. 



In our particular case, and I am sure it is true of the other tax-paying entities, 

 we operate under strict control of the California Fi.«h and Game Department 

 as well a sthe Federal Fish and Wildlife Commission. Our doors are open to 

 them at all times. In addition to this, we have cooperated with a nimaber of gov- 

 ernmental groups in various forms of research, using our facilities the like of 

 which are not readily available to them. 



To sum up. the intent of your proposed bill is most commendable. The purpose 

 of my letter is to draw to your attention that there are tax-paying organizations 

 who contribute to the knowledge and education of the public through he exhibi- 

 ion of ocean mammals and I would hope tha tyour Bill could be amended — 

 particularly Section 204 of Title II so that the members of our industry would 

 not be prohibited from continuing in our work and that the control of our activi- 

 ties should remain with the various State commissions such as our own Cali- 

 fornia Fish and Game. 



Should you or any of your colleagues have the opportunity to be in our area, 

 I would be delighted to host you on a tour of Marineland of the Pacific so that 

 you might observe our activities and, especially, meet our scientific community 

 which is engaged in the veterinarian care of our oceiin mammal residents. 

 Sincerely, 



William F. Monahan. 



September 15, 1971. 

 To : William F. Monahan. 

 From : John H. Prescott. 

 Reference : Marine Mammal Legislation. 



The impact of the current bills (HR 10420. HR 6554, S 1315. and others) on 

 the commercial activities of such places as Marineland of the Pacific is quite 

 foreboding. In reviewing three of these bills, we have discovered that they lack 

 provisions for the operation of organizations like Marineland of the Pacific 

 which are profit making corporations. The recent press and television cam- 

 paigns, which support banning of the taking of marine mammals, has been very 

 strong and in many cases, I believe, are based on emotion rather than fact. 



The exclusion of commercial organizations from those other groups who are 

 exempt from the provisions of these bills creates a paradox. If it were not for 

 the commercial oceanariums. our knowledge of these small cetaceans would still 

 be rudimentary. Scientific investigation at research institutions would never have 

 gotten underway and public interest and concern for these very animals would 

 probably be virtually non-existent. The adoption of these highly restrictive and 

 strictly protective legislative bills are not even consistent with many current 

 trends towards wildlife management, conservation, and eflBcient utilization of our 

 natural resources. 



The utilization of small dolphins and whales at Marineland probably repre- 

 sents one of the most eflBcient uses of this natural resource. It is only at places 

 like Marineland of the Pacific that the general public can come in contact with 

 these animals and learn more about their habits and values. Marineland is only 

 one of several recreation oriented marine parks that in the aggregate have a 

 visitation of nearly 20 million persons annually. The utilization of dolphins, 

 small whales, and many species of seals in these recreation parks is not incon- 

 sistent with the policies of conservation and management of a natural resource. 

 As with any zoological park operation, it is to our obvious benefit to capture, 

 transport, and maintain these wild species under the best conditions as they 

 basically create employment for many people and are the basis of our con- 

 tinuing success. 



Marineland of the Pacific and Marineland of Florida are rather unique cor- 

 porations. Although our primary business involves public recreation, the Marine- 

 land environment affords the staff and visiting scientists unique opportunities to 

 study marine life. At Marineland of the Pacific, the staff has been involved in 



