178 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



Captain Metsger. Mr. Dorn, any actions that this committee can 

 take to increase the national interest and support in the oceans sur- 

 rounding us will be of great benefit, 



I feel that our country has not understood sufficiently how im- 

 portant the oceans are to us in many aspects; and not only defense 

 but fisheries, too. 



From my point of view, of course my primary purpose is national 

 security. 



Mr, l)oRN. This question is rather broad. Is there any type of legis- 

 lation which could come out of this committee which would aid you 

 either materially or to a minor degree in the work which your depart- 

 ment is carrying on ? 



Captain Metsger. I am not prepared to answer that question at 

 this moment, sir, 



Mr. Dorn. I would appreciate it if, after thinking about it and 

 talking about it, you did reach a conclusion and there is a type of 

 legislation that you contact the comisel to the committee and inform 

 him. 



Captain Metsger, Thank you, sir, 



Mr. Miller, Mr. Dingell. 



Mr. Dingell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have no questions. 



Mr. Miller. Mr. Pelly. 



Mr. Pelly. Captain, I would just like to ask you one question. Do 

 you know of any connection between the Soviet oceanogra]ihic vessel 

 which made quite a tour of the Pacific, I think visiting California, 

 and the recent Soviet fleet of 73 fishing vessels which suddenly to 

 our surprise began operations off of Alaska ? 



Captain Metsger. I would like to be excused from answering the 

 question, sir. 



Mv. Pelly. I think, Mr. Chairman, that you brought out a most 

 interesting subject when you discussed the use of the bathyscaph for 

 finding out what happens to fishing. There has been evidence in our 

 fisheries work in this committee that the Japanese nets, some of which 

 are five or ten miles long, break in storms and they continue their 

 devastating effect upon salmon by going on and getting the fish caught 

 in these nets ; and it does seem to me that it opens up an avenue which 

 could contribute greatly to the conservation of our great fisheries 

 resources. 



I hope, Mr, Chairman, you will bring that up in connection with 

 the Fisheries Subcommittee, too, because it would be of terrific value. 



Mr. JNIiLLER. I intend to. 



Mr. Oliver? 



Mr. Oliver. Captain, this question may be too broad in its implica- 

 tions for you to answer, but I think for my own satisfaction I should 

 like to put it to you. 



I understand the Navy has taken the lead or at least perhaps a 

 leading position as a cooixlinating agency so far as an informal inter- 

 agency committee is concei-ned on oceanograi^hic questions. 



Is that an accurate statement of the situation? 



Captain Metsger. Yes, sir. I believe that is. 



Mr, Oliver. This is entirely informal, is it not, so far as there is no 

 legislation authorizing it but it is a matter of different agencies get- 

 ting together who are interested in (his subject? 



