tified as low priority to those that currently are underfunded or not funded at all, taking into consideration both current and planned programs.

The task force on professionalism is designed to work out ways to enhance the performance level of the Bureau's employees to reflect added credit upon themselves and the Bureau. This is good for the Bureau's esprit de corps and employee dedication to Bureau goals.

The task force on Bureau-State cooperation will consider ways by which the Bureau can improve its relations with the States in programs of mutual interest. It will look into overlapping and parallel programs, areas of conflict, communications problems, and new opportunities for assistance and cooperation.

GREAT LAKES FISHERY

The Great Lakes fishery has been undergoing change. In past years, this fishery has been principally one of commercial fishing. However, with the introduction of the sea lamprey and man-made pollution, the commercial fishery has declined. During the same time, there has been a steady increase in the urban population of the area. With this population boom, there has been a tremendous increase in sport fishing pressure. I believe that if we are to capitalize on the potential of the Great Lakes fishery resources, we must pay more attention to the sport fishery, while sustaining the commercial fishery.

ANADROMOUS AND GREAT LAKES FISHERIES CONSERVATION

Both Bureaus have been involved in the Anadromous and Great Lakes Fisheries Conservation program. The authorization for this program expires as of June 30, 1970. The House has passed legislation extending the authorization and the Senate is presently considering its extension. This program has enjoyed great success. Each year, the program has been oversubscribed by matching cooperator funds. I cite the successful transplant of the coho salmon to the Great Lakes the Federal contribution to this program came from these funds as a notable success story now supported by this program. The extension of the program is most important.

Past efforts in the field of international cooperation in maintaining high seas fisheries have usually been related to those of a commercial nature. The more I see of the international programs of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, the more satisfied I am that we need to take a more positive stand and strengthen these activities which will improve our position in dealing with our neighboring countries. The international fisheries efforts will be supported by the modest increases we have requested for marine sports fisheries research. Wildlife matters are also involved, however, in the requests for added funds for checking endangered species importations; working with other countries using funds from the special foreign currency program; and in giving added support to our handling of data concerning migratory game birds.

INCREASE IN VISITATION TO REFUGES AND FISH HATCHERIES

Visitation at Bureau facilities is increasing at an average rate of 10 percent a year, while the national population gain is at a rate of about 1 percent. We must improve visitor understanding of the values and management requirements of fish and wildlife resources as an aid in integrating man and nature in this modern society. The national wildlife refuge system and the national fish hatchery system possess the potential to provide a unique and rewarding experience to the visitor. This is especially true in urban areas, where many facilities are easily accessible, and the city or even ghetto dweller may be inspired-perhaps I should say "recreated"-at the sight of thousands of fish or waterfowl, or the glimpse of a deer as it bounds into the underbrush.

In order to accommodate the increasing number of visitors, sanitary facilities are being constructed in most critical areas, and additional operating funds are provided. In addition, the urban sport fishing program was expanded this past year so the inner city dweller, especially the children, had an opportunity to fish in a nearby stream or lake.

ALASKA PROGRAM

Knowing the Chairman's interest in Alaska, I believe she will pardon me if I display more than casual interest in that great State. My tenure there left me with a conviction about the importance of fish and wildlife in Alaska. It also

made me apprehensive about the future of these resources, many of which are supported by a frail ecological web, and painfully aware that the Federal Government is failing to provide Alaska with anywhere near the same level of support it is giving States with fewer needs and great program resources. I want to see a stronger program, and when we come before you next year, we expect to be making specific recommendations for a stronger program. Meanwhile, I have directed that we strengthen the Bureau's work in Alaska by establishment there from program funds of an area office. Though not of the size of a regional office, the area office will provide centralized leadership, direction, and control in Alaska with a direct tie to the Washington headquarters.

Through the past few years of economic and personnel constraints, the Bureau has tightened its belt, retrenched, and done well in conducting its program. In the future, we will continue to do so and, hopefully, improve.

Mr. MEACHAM. Thank you, Madam Chairman.

I think you people deserve a lot of credit for mothering this program through the years.

I might say it is considerably more quiet here than the last time

we met.

ROLE OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

As the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, I have the two bureaus to administer, and we in the Fish and Wildlife Service are very pleased to see that after so many years that so many people in the United States are now awakened to the environment and actually what fish and wildlife is, and are turning to the environment scene with a real concern. We have been here for years, and our profession has been here for probably a hundred years, and we recognize this, and it is a distinct pleasure to see the United States turning in this environmental direction.

FORMULATION OF FOUR TASK FORCES

In assuming responsibility as Commissioner, I requested both bureaus that I administer to take a good deep look into themselves. And in doing this, I formed four task forces, a task force on overlapping jurisdiction, one on program priorities, a task force on professionalism, and a task force on bureau and State cooperation. And these reports are not in yet. They are due almost immediately.

I think when we put these together, they are going to be most interesting and show us some very, very worthwhile information.

Now I thought enough of both the bureaus and their professional people that we did not go outside to get this type of talent. We had them take a look at themselves, and then when we put these reports together, I think we will find something that we can improve ourselves on a bit.

I am a great believer in there is always a better way to do something.

EXPANSION OF OCEAN FISHERIES

In our foreign fisheries dealing with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife is an area which I think we need to become more aware, and as Dr. Glasgow mentioned, the ocean sport fishery is expanding, it is expanding three times as rapidly as the inland fisherv is. As it expands, we are then going to come into competition with fisheries in the ocean that have generally been considered as commercial fish, and for which the United States is in competition with foreign nations.

NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN

Here I believe is a great opportunity for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to put itself forward. For years and years, we have fought for international fisheries, and we continually go backward and backward. We do not have a huge base to work from. We only have about 88,000 commercial fishermen in the United States.

Once this becomes an issue with the sportsmen of the United States, then we have a large base to work off of and people are going to have to sit up and listen to us. That is one of the directions we wish to work into.

Mrs. HANSEN. It is necessary for the sports fishermen to join the commercial fishermen in developing know-how to combat the ever escalating attempt of foreign fishermen to invade our fishing resources. Is this not true?

INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

Mr. MEACHAM. That is absolutely correct. Two fish I might mention very briefly to bring to attention the international implications are, for example, the broadbill fish. Let's take one we can think more closely of, salmon, for example.

PROTECTION OF SALMON RESOURCES

We have a number of international treaties that protect the salmon resources in North America. However, these agreements are giving us problems time and again. Supposing they should break down and foreign nations should come closer to our shores and fish our shores and fish our runs of salmon. At that time we get involved in an issue that would affect the sport fisheries.

So I certainly hope that the sportsmen awaken to these potential problems and I think they are.

Mrs. HANSEN. Isn't it true at the present time that we do not have adequate joint discussions going on among the nations that border the Pacific rim that should be held for the preservation of many fish species?

There must be an understanding by all nations that fish the Pacific rim that the resources are not unlimited and if they are not carefully protected by conservation measures their supply will be depleted.

BILATERAL FISHING AGREEMENTS

Mr. MEACHAM. Most of the arrangements with the foreign nations are bilateral, some are three nations, and in the case of whaling, we have 21, but in the Pacific rim I think there would be a great deal accomplished by a general meeting of the powers of the Pacific rim relative to fisheries matters.

DEVELOPMENT OF FOREIGN FISHERIES

Mrs. HANSEN. We are spending a sizable amount of funds to develop fisheries in other areas of the world and at the same time we are closing fishery facilities in the United States. It seems to me you cannot

establish fisheries programs without a better understanding of the conservation measures that have to be instituted.

The New England fishery industry has seen the results of overfishing, not by American fishermen, but by other nations.

FOREIGN FISHING FLEETS

Mr. WYATT. Madam Chairman, if I may say so, what you have said is pointed up by the recent difficulties we have had and are apparently going to have in the form of South Korean efforts in the salmon fisheries.

I would be interested, and hope to be able to check perhaps with you, Madam Chairman, into the extent of our aid to the Republic of South Korea in building up their fisheries.

Of course, all the reports we have are that the South Koreans tried this out on an experimental basis last year, and are preparing for a massive invasion of the American salmon fishery this year. It looks like it is on the way, and of course we both have protested to almost everyone who would listen to us. But I think this has the potential for real disaster to the salmon industry.

Mrs. HANSEN. During the hearings this year on American Samoa and the Trust Territory we found that they were desperately trying to build a fishing industry but were having difficulties competing with the foreign fishing fleets.

It seemed rather strange that we have been of material assistance to foreign nations and yet funds to assist our own territories are not always available.

U.S. INTERNATIONAL NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES COMMISSION

Mr. MEACHAM. In response to Congressman Wyatt, I appreciate your interest and the other Congressmen's interest in the Korean potential problem in 1970 and further.

As Commissioner of the U.S. International North Pacific Fisheries Commission, and the U.S. chairman, I called an emergency meeting to be held in Seattle on March 6, and this is the subject to be taken up at that time.

At the conclusion of this meeting next week, I will be very pleased to meet with any and all and give you a brief on what transpired in that meeting.

Mr. WYATT. That is fine. You probably are no doubt aware and in close contact with Ambassador McKernan who has been following this on almost a daily basis also, and has given us a report on it, and we would be very happy to follow through. If there are ways that we members interested in the problem can be helpful to you, to prevent a disaster from occurring, please call on us.

MEETINGS WITH KOREAN REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. MEACHAM. Thank you very much.

I am in contact with the ambasador daily, and in fact yesterday we met with the Korean Ambassador, Ambassador Kim on this subject.

Mr. WYATT. The record seems to indicate that the Koreans have been most cooperative in regard to our concern last year, but they have now just lowered their head and bulldozed right ahead with their plans.

Mr. MEACHAM. I have one or two more remarks to make here, Madam Chairman.

Mrs. HANSEN. Please do.

HOLDINGS INVENTORY

Mr. MEACHAM. We are also taking on an inventory of our holdings in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and since we are discussing the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife now, what governmental holdings, what lands do we have, and then what is the best use of these lands, also what their dedicated use is, and how can we best work in people participation, visitations of our refuges, how can we utilize them more? Just because we have a piece of Government land it does not mean we have a big chain around it and lock on it, and it is not to be used.

ALASKA PLAN

I am coming forward with an Alaska plan, which is not yet completed, as is mentioned in by brief. I think Alaska deserves more attention in the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife area.

We have, Madam Chairman, $225,000 in the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and the same in the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries for a budget of $450,000 we are asking for TAPS this year. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman.

STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

Mrs. HANSEN. Mr. Gottschalk, will you please insert your general statement in the Record and summarize it for us.

(The statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF DR. JOHN S. GOTTSCHALK, DIRECTOR BUREAU OF
SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

We are pleased to appear before the subcommittee to support and discuss our programs for fiscal year 1971.

Both Assistant Secretary Glasgow and Commissioner Meacham have given you important highlights of the Bureau's programs. A common point in their discussion has been the allusion to a dominant principle made by President Nixon in his state of the Union message. At the risk of being repetitious, for emphasis I should like to endorse it here. It is that as a nation, we have come to understand better than ever before man's dependence upon a viable environment. Moreover, it appears that we are gradually accepting a corollary, that to have a cleaner environment, the public will have to somehow pay the bill. This may mean a greater outlay rather than just a re-ordering of priorities, important though the latter may be.