380 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



develop mutual agreements or laws on the subject of proper protec- 

 tion of marine life from the disposal of radioactive wastes ? 



Mr. McKernan. There is an arm of the United Nations, the Food 

 and Agriculture Organization, FAO, which might be a means of 

 getting together the nations of the world and discussing this par- 

 ticular matter. 



Mr. Pelly. For instance, the Conference on the Law of the Sea. 

 Would that be a subject which nations would discuss in such meet- 

 ings as are held in Geneva, United Nations conferences ? 



Mr. McIvERNAN. I would think not, Mr. Pelly. That particular 

 body has been concerned really with laws governing both territorial 

 and high seas. 



Mr. Pelly. Do they not develop laws ? 



Mr. McKernan. They might set up subcommittees of technicians 

 to study this particular matter. I can see whether that particular 

 group could. But I think an equally or perhaps more competent 

 body might be FAO, with headquarters in Rome, who have on their 

 staff competent scientists to develop all the knowledge that is avail- 

 able on this matter. In fact, it is in a sense also a wing of the 

 United Nations, too. 



Mr. Pelly. It would just seem to me that early in the game, before 

 the development of the peaceful utilization of the atom is advanced, 

 chains of communication should be open and there should be constant 

 exchange of research information among nations, leading toward the 

 ultimate control and agreement among nations on means to prevent 

 destruction and devastation of marine life and resources for human 

 needs. 



Mr. McKernan. I agree with you, Mr. Pelly, that concurrent with 

 the development of the uses of atomic power and nuclear power 

 should come discussions and agreements on how the potentially de- 

 structive wastes can be handled. 



Mr. Pelly. In other words, these suggested locations are, of course, 

 of concern to the areas which they are near but, on the otlier hand, 

 certainly as between Canada and ourselves, and as between Mexico and 

 ourselves, we have a tremendous community of interest in working 

 out arrangements so the resources which we share are protected. 

 What is the good of just one nation practicing control if the other 

 nations of the earth do not do it ? 



Thank you. 



Mr. ]\IiLLER. Mr. Oliver. 



Mr. Oliver. Just a brief question, Mr. Chairman. 



This may be off the track of what you liave just been discussing, 

 Doctor, but I was wondering if you are familiar with the recom- 

 mendations which the Committee of Scientists on Oceanography 

 made for an overall budget for the next 10 years. 



Mr. M(.'Kernan. Yes. I am most familiar, jNIr, Oliver, with those 

 rccominondations ])ertaining to the living resources section. 



Mr. Oliver. I should like to ask you this question. In that rec- 

 ommended budget, was your Pureau or Dopartmont recommended 

 for increased appropriations for oceanographic work ? 



Mr. McKernan. Yes. 



Mr. Olivei{. Is that reflected in the appropriations whicli liave been 

 made for your Bureau for fiscal year IIXU) ;• 



