8 



a very important hearing, a lot of interest in it, and I am glad we 

 are having it. 



And I think that in authorizing the act in 1988, this committee 

 recognized that the effective public display of marine mammals 

 provides an opportunity to inform the public about the great aes- 

 thetic, recreational, ana economic significance of marine mammals 

 and their role in the marine ecosystem. So, I think it is important 

 that during this reauthorization we continue to affirm the value 

 placed on public display, which is very important for scientific re- 

 search and also what it does in terms of education of the general 

 public. 



I do think we need to look for ways to streamline our permitting 

 process, but at the same time make sure that we are providing the 

 protections that are needed for these marine mammals. So, I look 

 forward to hearing what the rest of the witnesses have to say today 

 and I do have some questions that I will want to ask at the appro- 

 priate time, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Kerry. Thank you very much. Senator. 



Dr. Hofman. 



STATEMENT OF ROBERT J. HOFMAN, PhX)., SCIENTIFIC PRO- 

 GRAM DIRECTOR, MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION; ACCOM- 

 PANIED BY MICHAEL GOSLEVER 



Dr. Hofman. Thank you Mr. Chairman, Mr. Lott. It is a pleasure 

 to be here today. I am Robert Hofman, the Marine Mammal Com- 

 mission Scientific Program Director. With me is Michael Gosliner, 

 the Commission's General Counsel. 



In my written statement I have described some of the relevant 

 backgroimd and provided an overview of the problems associated 

 with the permit system and what the Commission has done and be- 

 lieves might further be done to resolve those problems. As re- 

 quested, I have focused on issues bearing upon scientific research. 



The effective conservation of any wilalife is dependent in no 

 small measure upon reliable information concerning the natural 

 history, demography, dynamics, and ecology of the species. Con- 

 gress recognized this and in the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

 authorized the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to issue 

 permits allowing the taking of any species of marine mammal, in- 

 cluding those which are endangered and threatened, for purposes 

 of scientific research. 



In the last several years, scientists have complained that it takes 

 longer and more information is required than should be necessary 

 to obtain permits for research. They also have complained that per- 

 mits often contain unnecessary and burdensome reporting require- 

 ments. 



The Commission has undertaken a review to determine the 

 causes of these problems and what can be done to overcome them. 

 As part of the review, the Commission held a workshop last week 

 involving representatives of the Commission, the Committee of Sci- 

 entific Advisors, the Commission staff, the staff of the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service's per- 

 mit offices, and scientists who have had problems with the permit 

 system. The Commission plans to hold a followup workshop some 

 time in late September. 



