Dr. Brongersma-Sanders puts forward a third suggestion — namely, that the 

 mortality is attributed to the presence of " red-water," caused by the presence of 

 large numbers of Dinoflagellates, associated with up-welling water. Similar 

 phenomena of up-welling water, large numbers of Dinoflagellates, and fish-mortality 

 occur in other regions {e.g., California, Peru-Chile, and perhaps the South coast of 

 Arabia), and a similar area seems to have existed in past geological times in the 

 northern Caucasus. The Walvis Bay azoic sediment shows a remarkable resemblance 

 to certain bituminous fish-shales. 



The action of the Dinoflagellates may be attributed to either (1) the production 

 of a toxin or (2) asphyxiation by the mechanical clogging of the gills. 



In California there seems to be a close connection between the total number of 

 Dinoflagellates and a toxicit}^ of the mussels, the shell-fish themselves being resistant 

 to large quantities of the poison that is probably produced by the Dinoflagellates. 



The following studies should be carried out : — 



A. A quantitative and qualitative study of the plankton throughout the year 



What oceanographic peculiarities are associated with the occurrence of 

 " red-water " ? What is the extent of the " red-water " in different 

 years, and does it coincide with the azoic area ? 



B. A study of the bottom sediment to determine its nature (Guttja or Sapro- 



pelium) ; the nature of the enclosed organic compounds ; the presence 

 of certain metals, such as Cu, Ni, Va, Mo, &c. Determination of the 

 organic carbon and nitrogen from the top layer and at deeper levels 

 of the sediment. Does the O j/H gS boundary lie at the surface or at 

 some distance below ? 



C. Is the fish mortality due to a toxin, related to the paralytic shell-fish toxin, 



that is produced b}' the living Dinoflagellates, and does paralytic poison- 

 ing of man from eating mussels during the summer occur on the South- 

 west African coast ? 



Professor Hans Pettersson suggested that UNESCO should be 

 approached and be asked whether it would consider the appointment of 

 an Assistant Secretary, who, working under the Secretary, would keep 

 in touch with " liaison " representatives in all countries that are interested 

 in oceanographic work and so keep the Committee informed regarding 

 any oceanographical investigations that were being carried on or were 

 contemplated in both the physico-chemical and biological branches. 



The following resolutions were passed :— 



1. The International Committee on Oceanography have heard 

 with very great interest Dr. Hans Pettersson's account of the 

 Swedish plan to study the deep ocean bed and its fauna, and of 

 the possibihty of a further extension and continuation of this 

 work through co-operation between the Scandinavian Countries — 

 Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The Committee considers that 

 such investigations are of the greatest value from the scientific 

 point of view ; and that they would benefit from international 

 co-operation and should be organized on an international scale. 



2. The International Committee on Oceanography noted with 

 great interest the proposal (contained in para. 10 (h), of the 

 Digest of Directives, Sub-Commission on Natural Sciences, 

 UNESCO General Conference, 1946) to explore the possibility of 

 founding an Oceanographical and Fisheries Laboratory for the 

 Indian Ocean. The Committee consider that the creation of an 

 Institute of Oceanography for the Indian Ocean would be of the 

 greatest value for the advancement of our scientific knowledge 

 of this region. They also consider that such an Institute would 

 probably lead to considerable economic advantages for all countries 

 bordering on this ocean, and earnestly trust that means will be 

 found for the establishment of such an institution. 



The Committee also hope that, if and when the constitution 

 of such an institution is being considered, full advantage will be 

 taken of the experience gained by the International Council for 

 the Exploration of the Sea. 



151 



