The second model program based in Hawaii is the Dolphin Quest 

 Program. I am pleased, Mr. Chairman, to welcome today one of 

 Dolphin Quest's founders, Dr. Rae Stone. Dr. Stone and her part- 

 ner, Dr. Jay Sweeney, a veterinarian specializing in marine mam- 

 mal care, who are recognized throughout the world as leaders in 

 marine mammal medicine, research, and management. 



The marine mammal specialists of Dolphin Quest have created 

 a model habitat for bottle-nosed dolphins, where dolphins alter- 

 natively cavort in the shallows and dive together in the deep blue 

 waters of their lagoon. 



The Dolphin Quest Program provides people the opportunity to 

 come face to face with one of our ocean's most amazing creatures. 

 The program provides personal and interactive learning experi- 

 ences to children and adults, which increase their knowledge about 

 marine mammals, expand their understanding of the marine envi- 

 ronment, and develop sensitivity to the conservation issues related 

 to marine mammals. 



The educational program for Hawaii's schoolchildren and sum- 

 mer youth groups brings children to the learning center to partici- 

 pate in full-day educational programs about whales and dolphins. 

 Moneys that are generated from the Dolphin Quest Program is 

 used to sponsor important marine mammal research and conserva- 

 tion projects through the nonprofit Marine Life Fund. 



Among other worthy projects, this foundation has supported 

 studies to help reduce the high mortality of dolphins in the purse 

 seine fishery for tuna. While television, books, movies, and videos 

 can provide factual information, they cannot match the emotional 

 impact of seeing a live animal. The educational value of public dis- 

 play is specifically affirmed in the Act, and the Congress should 

 continue to support the mission of the public display community 

 within the guidelines of the act. 



Mr. Chairman, on an unrelated matter, I request consent to in- 

 clude in the record testimony I received from a number of my con- 

 stituents concerning the humpback whale in Hawaiian waters. 



Senator Kerry. Without objection, so ordered. 



[The information referred to may be found in the committee 

 files.] 



Senator Inouye. Mr. Chairman, I thank you once again for call- 

 ing this hearing and for providing me an opportunity to say a few 

 words. 



Senator Kerry. I thank the Senator from Hawaii, and appreciate 

 his interest in this. 



Let me ask if Doug Hall would come forward with Mr. Hofman 

 at this point. 



We are glad to have you back. Welcome. We look forward to your 

 testimony. 



STATEMENT OF DOUGLAS K. HALL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF 

 COMMERCE FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE, NATIONAL 

 OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION; ACCOM- 

 PANIED BY KEVIN COLLINS, GENERAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE 



Mr. Hall. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, I am Doug 

 Hall, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere at the Na- 



