OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 93 



Mr. McKernan. Within the limits of my prerogatives to set such 

 policy, yes, that is correct. 



Mr. DoRN. So that, summing up, in order to have proper func- 

 tional scientific research, it is essential to have the Albatross replaced 

 immediately ? 



Mr. McB^ERNAisr. No. 



Mr. DoRN. How do you differentiate ? 



Mr. McKernan. We have a back log of scientific data in our lab- 

 oratory in Woods Hole and there will be a loss in the collection of sci- 

 entific data and there will be some interruption. My "no" perhaps 

 should have been qualified to that extent, but nevertheless the essen- 

 tial parts of our New England program can be carried on effectively 

 with the present arrangements. We were assured of this by the di- 

 rector of the laboratory, Dr. Graham, before he helped us make the 

 decision to deactivate the boat. 



Mr. DoRN. I think, though, that you would feel very decidedly that 

 the limitations incurred are curbing scientific research ? 



Mr. McKJERNAN. I am sui-e I could not answer that in any other 

 way but "yes." 



Mr. DoRN. That is all. 



Mr. Miller. Mr. Oliver. 



Mr. Oli%^r. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Director, I have a great interest, of course, in the work that 

 your Bureau or Department is doing, primarily of course because of 

 coming from Maine, as I do. 



Your reference to the herring catch there is of prime importance 

 to us. 



Mr. McKernan. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Oliver. Also another problem that confronts us or has con- 

 fronted us for some time is the matter of offshore dragging of lob- 

 sters. This local interest of mine, however, is perhaps overshadowed 

 I may say by the great problem of how are we going to get more re- 

 search so far as our oceanographic goals and objectives are concerned, 

 and I would gather from your testimony as of this time that it is 

 your feeling that oceanographic research in terms of the recommen- 

 dations perhaps of the committee of scientists is going to be cramped 

 and stifled and delayed by reason of the inability of the Bureau to 

 meet the monetary requirements of such increased research. 



Is that a correct statement or a reasonably correct statement of the 

 situation ? 



Mr. McKJSRNAN. Well, considering the report of the subcommittee, 

 of course, these things cost a great deal of money and, when those 

 funds are not made available, obviously the increases recommended 

 to the extent recommended by any committee cannot be carried out. 



We still will carry out both in New England and other parts of 

 the United States important and absolutely essential oceanographic 

 and marine biological work to the very maximum extent possible with 

 the funds made available to us. 



Mr. Oliver. To make a direct inquiry, are you going to be able to 

 carry on the necessary work, the essential work with regard to in- 

 formation concerning the herring catch for this next season, for ex- 

 ample ? 



Mr. McKernan. Yes. 



