Mr. McKERNAN. We have already gathered together all the data that is available all over the world. For example, quite a little is known about this in Japan where this particular type of botulism is better known than it is in the United States. We have gathered that all together. We are applying that right now in helping the plants get started again and making sure that there is no further public health hazard.

Mr. THOMPSON. Thank you, Mr. McKernan. If there are no further questions we will move along. We have one more witness who I understand has to catch a plane, so I would like to hear from Dr. Theodore Ford of the Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Service Department at this time. I want the record to show that from my point of view, and from the States that I am familiar with, especially my own, I can't agree with the chairman of the full committee about the effectiveness of our State programs. I believe that the State of Louisiana at least has had one of the most sophisticated and ambitious programs over the years and enforcement of their programs has been, while not as adequate as it could be, most effective."

Dr. Ford, we want to hear your statement. We will appreciate your being as brief as possible.

STATEMENT OF DR. THEODORE B. FORD, ASSISTANT CHIEF, DIVISION OF OYSTERS, WATER BOTTOMS, AND SEAFOODS, LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION

Dr. FORD. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. THOMPSON. Please identify yourself for the record, Dr. Ford, and proceed.

Dr. FORD. Thank you, sir. Mr. Chairman, I am Dr. Theodore B. Ford, assistant chief, Division of Oysters, Water Bottoms, and Seafoods, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and am here to testify favorably for my commission in regard to S. 627, 1st session, 88th Congress. We appreciate the opportunity to appear before this committee.

For the record, I would like to submit herewith 30 copies of our prepared statement concerning this bill, each with an attached copy of the favorable resolution adopted by our commission on April 23, 1963, at its regular monthly meeting. If additional or more specific information is desired by your committee, we shall be pleased to prepare and provide that which is available to us.

Briefly, I would like to summarize our interest in S. 627 by saying that in the past few years we have initiated both research and development projects associated with our commercial fisheries in order to more effectively manage these renewable resources in State waters.

These recent efforts "to help ourselves" were rewarding, especially in providing and maintaining adequate stocks of seed oysters for replanting on bedding grounds and also in predicting the best time for harvesting the rapidly growing brown shrimp from our in-shore,

estuarine waters.

However, this effort must be increased substantially if we hope to meet current and future needs arising and resulting from many unconcerned competitive uses. S. 627 seems to be an appropriate vehicle for meeting some of these needs by providing for the expansion and initiation of sound programs.

It appears to be similar in scope and function to the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Federal aid to wildlife programs which have been generally successful in Louisiana during the past number of years by providing improved management and information. For these as well as other reasons, we recommend favorable action on S. 627 and its enactment. We would like to and stand ready to participate in the proposed program.

Just recently the statistics have come in for the top 15 fishing ports in the United States and I would like to point out that 4 of these were located in Louisiana and there were some 688 million pounds of fish and fish products produced from these ports, having a value of some $20,600,000. This does not include the smaller ports below these 15 in national status.

In addition to that another high ranking port is that of Pascagoula, Miss., and it is my impression that much of their production is also derived from Louisiana waters.

Mr. Chairman, if I might, I would also like to say that I represent the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. I serve as chairman of its Estuarine Technical Coordinating Committee, and since its chairman is unable to be here today, I have submitted 30 copies of the statement for that particular group.

Mr. THOMPSON. Without objection, the statement mentioned earlier and the statement of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission by its chairman, Mr. Richard H. Cory, will be placed in the record of the hearing.

(The statements referred to follow :)

STATEMENT OF THE LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION

S. 627 cited as the "Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act of 1963" would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with State agencies in carrying out projects for research and development of commercial fisheries resources. It is understood that up to $5 million would be appropriated for each of 5 years for apportionment to the States on a formula taking into account the amount of raw fisheries products harvested and/or processed.

Generally, the provisions and applications of this bill appear to be similar to two existing Federal aid to wildlife programs usually referred to as PittmanRobertson (for wildlife) and Dingell-Johnson (for sport fisheries). In Louisiana, these two programs have functioned very satisfactorily, providing good continuity for established worthwhile research and management projects. It is our opinion that much of the work performed under these programs is paying dividends by providing us with increasingly better tools for the improved basic management of our fish and wildlife resources. Accordingly, a similarly administered cost-sharing program should function comparably for the commercial fisheries of Louisiana.

At this point, it should be clearly and firmly established that Louisiana, through its wildlife and fisheries commission has recognized many of the problems associated with its commercial fisheries. Steps have been taken to resolve some of these problems. However, the enormity of this situation must be acknowledged. If proposed future work is funded at the same rate as that of the past, then the pressing needs for field research and improved management as recognized today (and vastly changed in the past 30 years) cannot be met in the foreseeable future with presently available State funds.

Louisiana, for example, is extremely fortunate in being geographically located at the mouth of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. As such, there is a tremendous 4- to 4.5-million-acre expanse of coastal marshes, bays, lakes, and bayous, comprising one of the great estuarine areas of the world. This area serves as a nursery grounds for several of the more important marine species comprising the commercial fisheries of the gulf including shrimp, menhaden, and other finfishes. The full extent of its influence is incompletely known, but this influence certainly appears to affect the fisheries of Mississippi and Texas, in

addition to Louisiana. Production of these groups has fluctuated considerably in recent years. During the past 2 years, however, it is our understanding that the greatest production of fisheries products from the waters of the continental United States, both in dollar value and in poundage, was Pascagoula, Miss., to Sabine Pass, La.-Tex. This coastal area is also the site, at this time, for a substantial part of the oyster production of the gulf and east coasts. volume of oyster production has remained generally consistent over a number of years and is expected to continue. The value of Louisiana's marine commercial fisheries production has generally varied conservatively between $50 and $60 million annually for the past number of years.

This

The basis for our concern, however, is that there have been substantial industrial, navigational, mineral, gas, and oil developments associated with this estuarine or nursery grounds area at an awe-inspiring rate of speed. Changes in some parts of the overall habitat have already occurred. Thus, we are concerned with the direct competition from uses other than those associated with fish and wildlife resources and with the cumulative effects of their (or their byproducts) being introduced into this intermediate area. Therefore, expanded studies must be conducted in order to determine the best or preferred management procedures commensurate with preservation of the commercial fisheries and other wildlife resources associated with this estuarine area.

During the past 2 or 3 years, Louisiana and other Gulf States have sought and supported the appropriation of additional funds specifically for increased shrimp research offshore in the Gulf of Mexico by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. Accelerated and more satisfactory progress in the offshore biology and more specific, meaningful landing statistics of the gulf shrimp are evident. Thus, we support the continuation of this work for it appears that the Bureau is doing a good job in accordance with the interest of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and that of the respective States. Concurrently, each of the Gulf States has also increased its efforts, but additional funds are needed for proper expansion at the State level. Although this progress in the offshore shrimp fisheries research and other prospective fisheries work in that area is acknowledged as being necessary, yet it is too broad, costly, and remote for any State to undertake reasonably such an effort on its own.

Similarly, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission recognized the necessity for expanding its related shrimp and other commercial fisheries work in State waters. Such work is within the realm of feasibility. For example, it is important that Louisiana and possibly other individual States perform the following:

(1) Conduct on a continuing basis the collection and evaluation of those data which assist in the prediction of annual production of shrimp and other commercial fisheries in State waters;

(2) Perform localized studies on the uses and needs of nursery ground areas by menhaden and other anadromous species;

(3) Expand the studies on the effects of pollution on oysters and other estuarine species and groups in order to prevent a deterioration of these species; (4) Initiate considerable basic research directed toward the development and commercial production of crabs, finfishes, and other allied species for bolstering the economy of the State; and

(5) Increase the hydrographic and hydrological studies in order to recognize and predict broad changes in the environment in time to prevent permanent damage to fisheries production.

This commission sees in S. 627 an opportunity to stimulate and expand research programs as outlined above. Therefore, it is recommended that favorable consideration be given toward its enactment in accordance with the intent and provisions of this bill.

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LOUISIANA WILD LIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION, HELD IN NEW ORLEANS, ON TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1963 "Whereas it is the purpose of S. 627 and H.R. 3738, 88th Congress, 1st session, to promote State commercial fishery research and development projects, and for other purposes, by the Secretary of the Interior cooperating with the States in carrying out projects designed for the research and development of the commercial fisheries resources of the Nation through cost-sharing funds not to exceed 75 percent of the total estimated cost of the project; and,

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"Whereas it is recognized that the provisions and intent of this bill should stimulate additional efforts and lend impetus to existing programs concerned with the research and development aspects of the commercial fisheries resources on the part of the several respective States; and

"Whereas the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission recognizes the need for expanding and implementing its existing and planned research and development programs concerning commercial fisheries as additional funds become available; and

"Whereas this proposal seems to be similar to the existing successful PittmanRobertson and Dingell-Johnson Federal aid to wildlife programs which have contributed substantially toward the improved management of our fish and wildlife resources; Now, therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission in regular meeting on April 23, 1963, does hereby approve the intent and supports the passage of S. 627 and H.R. 3738, and be it further

"Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to each Member of the Louisiana congressional delegation."

This is to certify that the above is a true and correct excerpt from the minutes of the meeting of the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission, held in New Orleans, La., on April 23, 1963.

L. D. YOUNG, Jr., Director.

STATEMENT OF RICHARD H. CORY, CHAIRMAN, GULF STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION

According to the Federal fisheries statistics, the increase in the U.S. production of fishery products for human food rose rather steadily to 1950 and has declined since then. The total catch for all purposes was highest in 1956.

We are proud of the Gulf States fisheries, because our production has increased some 1,000 percent in the past 30 years and now comprises almost 30 percent of the U.S. total. The only other major area which has increased production in that time has been the Atlantic coast, with an increase of about 70 percent. Among the top 15 fishery ports, 7 are on the gulf coast between Pascagoula, Miss., and Port Isabel, Tex. In fact, we have a short 300 mile strip of coastline from Pascagoula, Miss., to Port Arthur, Tex., which produces slightly over one-fifth of the U.S. total. The high production in pounds is through the menhaden fishery and the value is held up by the shrimp, oyster, and crab fishery. Nevertheless, we cannot rest at ease, because there are some matters which cause us not to be complacent, to say the least. We have the doleful example of the sudden decline of the California pilchard to remember, and the equally precipitous decline of the Florida sponge fishery. Three years ago a terrific decline in the shrimp fishery took place. This is the most valuable one in the United States, and its sharp reduction had widespread economic reverberations.

May we take up in very brief general terms the status of our fisheries with regard to research needs. Because of the importance of the shrimp, all Gulf States and the Federal Government are making studies of shrimp biology. We are not sure that we have an entirely adequate program, but we do have a strong one in comparison to the other fisheries. The general life history, distributions, and many things about the migrations of these animals are known. The Federal Government has increased its statistical studies of the catch by areas, depths, sizes, and species to a great extent and that program has yielded very valuable knowledge. One of our chief problems with regard to shrimp seems to be lack of knowledge of the factors which govern production and fertility of the low salinity areas where the shrimp grow. We still do not know what caused the major decline of a few years ago and several theories have been advanced. However, they all agree that it had something to do with the bay and estuarine environment.

The oyster fishery of the gulf coast is in good shape at present. Management based on biological knowledge gained through research during the past is progressing remarkably in acceptance.

Production of the blue crab is increasing at a great rate on the gulf coast. The only knowledge we have on this animal concerns the general outline of its life history which was worked out in Chesapeake Bay many years ago, with a little confirming work on the gulf which was carried out almost as a side issue to other studies. Needless to say, there is a great need for further knowledge. The menhaden fishery has increased so rapidly since 1947 that we are very far behind in adequate knowledge. In 1963 the gulf produced over a billion pounds

for the third consecutive year. In August 1963 the Congress appropriated $125,000 for a research program to be carried on by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. The program which has since been implemented provides (1) investigation of the causes of seasonal and annual fluctuation in the catch, (2) determining if the populations can withstand increased fishing on a sustained basis, and (3) conducting explorations to determine offseason distribution of the adult fish. It is hoped the program can be expanded in subsequent years to include tagging so that population structures and features of life history and migration patterns may be determined. The gulf menhaden grow up and are fished from May through October largely in the bays and estuarine areas, about which areas our knowledge as to fertility is exceedingly limited.

Another large fishery which has been growing at a great rate on the gulf concerns the so-called industrial groundfishes. Some of these are frozen for bait or mink food, some reduced for meal but the preponderance of the harvest is canned for pet food. This fishery has risen steadily in production from 5 million pounds in 1956 to a record 97 million in 1962. A host of species are involved, but by far the largest component is the common croaker. Knowledge of the croaker is of about the same status as that of the menhaden. This species also raises in the bays and again we are confronted with the fertility problem.

To summarize the other species very briefly, we need to know a great deal more about the redfish or red drum, speckled trout or weakfish, and the gulf flounder, which are both commercial and sports fishes. We know very little about these populations and their sizes and how much they can be exploited in fairness to the two types of fishermen, commercial and recreational.

The mullet is not a sports fish because it does not take the hook, but it probably has a much larger commercial potential than the present annual production of 30-odd million pounds indicates. A campaign is being carried on now by Florida in cooperation with the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries to increase its use and we must increase our knowledge greatly if this fishery is to be properly managed. We are proud of the gulf fisheries and their rapid increase, but this rapid increase itself has created many problems. Neither the Federal Government nor the States themselves have expended funds in our area commensurate with the urgency, and we feel that intense efforts must be made through biological research to acquire the knowledge that will be necessary to the proper management of the fisheries. If increases in production are to take place we want to know about them so as to be able to take advantage of them. If declines in production are to take place we wish to be able to forecast them so as to cushion the effects. We do not wish to put legitimate businessmen out of business in the name of conservation when there is no real need for it. Conversely, we do not wish to overfish our stocks so that declines in production take place to the detriment of the whole society.

In all of our fishery problems the major theme seems to be the need for increased knowledge of the bays and estuarine areas, which are the raising grounds for all of our major species, except for certain high seas forms which I have not mentioned. The bays are definitely circumscribed in area and we should learn their limitations of fertility and production and how they are modified by natural events. They are pollutable and subject to damage in other ways by the works of man. If our fisheries are to be preserved we must know more about the shallow water areas both physically and biologically. We believe that all efforts to increase research of our fisheries are fundamentally good for this country and its people and we strongly recommend passage of Senate bill 627 at this session of the Congress.

Copy of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission resolution which approves Senate bill 627 (88th Cong., 1st sess.) is hereto attached.

RESOLUTION

Be it resolved, That the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission go on record as approving S. 627 and H.R. 3738 (88th Cong., 1st sess.) each of which bills is designed to promote State commercial fishery research and development projects, and for other purposes.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, March 22, 1963, at a regular Commission meeting held at the Jack Tar-Fort Harrison Hotel, Clearwater, Fla.

W. D. GUNN,

Director, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.