38 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVEENMENT CONCEENED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MAEINK 

 SCIENCES AND DISCUSSED IN DETAIL IN THE EEPOBT OF THE COMMITTEE ON 

 OCEANOGRAPHY 



I. Department of Commerce 



The Coast and Geodetic Survey operates a small but efficient survey fleet, has 

 a long tradition of high quality survey work in Continental Shelf areas, is viewed 

 by the Committee on Oceanography as highly suited for conducting a major 

 part of the ocean survey program recommended by the Committee. 



Maritime Administration is considered as having an important part of ship de- 

 sign and construction program. 



//. Department of Defense 



The Navy has an urgent requirement for the development of a program of 

 oceanographic research. Major emphasis is on waves, currents, underwater 

 sound propagation, effectiveness and design of weapons systems, submarine 

 detection, location and identification, mine countermeasures, ship construction, 

 navigation, and communication. 



///. Department of Interior 



The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries present programs in support of fisheries' 

 Interests require strengthening. Future responsibilities for vigorous and imagi- 

 native support of basic research required for effective development of marine 

 resources. 



IV. Independent Offices 



Atomic Energy Commission present activities in marine research are on a small 

 scale. Recommendations for support of specific research programs are discussed 

 in detail in the Committee's report. 



National Science Foundation present support of marine sciences is on rela- 

 tively small scale. The Foundation has a vitally important role in the future 

 support of basic research, construction of special facilities (ships and labora- 

 tories), and development of fellowship programs. 



V. Other agencies and departments mentioned in the report 



A. The Department of Agriculture. — Desalting of water, climatic control. 



B. The Air Force. — Concerned with survival and location of downed flyera, 

 navigation over the sea, the shape of the earth, radar performance, and missQe 

 ranges. 



0. The Army. — Significant interest in amphibious operations, beach erosion, 

 oversea transportation, and movement of troops and supplies. 



D. The Coast Guard operates the International Ice Patrol (and associated 

 oceanographic surveys) and ocean rescue stations. An important supplement 

 to our total U.S. effort in oceanography. 



E. The Geological Survey is concerned with offshore oil and mineral resources. 



F. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. — Radio active contamina- 

 tion of the ocean resources. 



G. The State Department. — U.S. international leadership and competence in 

 maritime technology and international cooperation. 



H. The Weather Bureau. — Weather forecasting, hurricane information, 

 weather modification. 



Chapter 8. Education and Manpower 

 I. status 



The recruitment of highly trained professional oceanographers is barely ade- 

 quate to meet the requirements of existing research programs in the United 

 States, and is less than adequate in the field of physical oceanography. A sub- 

 stantial increase in the support of oceanography will result, therefore, in a serious 

 manpower shortage unless action is taken to increase the number of students 

 in this field. 



At present there are 12 universities in the United States providing graduate 

 education in oceanography leading to the Ph. D. degree. Of these, four offer Ph. 

 D.'s only in biological oceanography, four in one or more of the nonbiological 

 fields (physical, chemical, geological oceanography), and four in all fields of 

 oceanography. In addition, three univerities provide substantial graduate edu- 



