Of monumental importance is the need for an accurate analysis of 

 the scattering layers or false bottoms found so abundantly at depths 

 of a few hundred fathoms in many areas of the Pacific. The most recent 

 accounts of vast stretches of such la3'ers are reported by the staff of the 

 Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition aboard the " Albatross " (Pettersson, 

 1948). Scattering layers with rough borders which return echoes 

 characteristic of comparatively large and densely packed organisms 

 were found repeatedly when crossing the bands of convergence bordering 

 the equatorial countercurrent. Below these areas of convergence cores 

 taken with the piston core sampler (KuUenberg, 1947) varied from- nearly 

 pure radiolarian ooze to nearly pure globigerina odze, indicating strips 

 of highly productive ocean area. That this reflective layer may be related 

 to a vsist, untapped deep sea fishery is by no means outside the realm of 

 probability (Chapman, 1947; Hahn, 1948: 104; Pettersson, op. cit.). 



In regard to physical oceanography the effects of oceanic islands on 

 currents, upwelling, and regional productivity are rather easily studied 

 in Hawaii. Studies on penetration of light in clear oceanic water and 

 studies on submarine photography are especially applicable. Various 

 aspects of submarine geology associated with volcanism and erosion 

 are easily accessible for investigation. 



We are aware that an efficacious programme in oceanograph}' resides 

 in a carefully co-ordinated effort in which vadsiy agencies with experienced 

 personnel and specialized equipment participate. We look to the newly 

 organized U.S. Committee on the Oceanography of the Pacific to provide 

 the guiding hand in devising a co-ordinated approach to the vast problem. 



Thus we recognize a twofold responsibility in Hawaii — first, to 

 undertake portions of the programme for which we have personnel 

 and equipment ; and, second, to provide working space and facilities 

 for personnel of co-operating agencies. With the assurance that the 

 University and associated institutions in Hawaii are vitally interested 

 in mid-Pacific oceanography and are striving to further research in this 

 sphere to the extent of their facilities, suggestions for co-operative 

 efforts with other institutions in the Pacific are indeed welcome. 



References 



Chapman, W. M. (1947) : The Wealth of the Ocean. Sci. Mon., 64 (3), 192-197. 

 Edmundson, C. H. (1940) : The Relation of the Marine Fauna of Hawaii to That 



of Other Sections of the Pacific Area. Sixth Pac. Sci. Cong., Proc, 3, 593-598. 

 Fisher; H. I. (1947) : Utinomi's Bibliographica Micronesica : Chordate Sections. 



Pacific Sci., 1 (3), 129-150. 



Hahn, J. (1948) : Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Turtox News, 26 (4). 

 98-104. 



Hiatt, R. W. (1948) : Preliminary Note on the Oceanographic Program of the 



Hawaii Marine Laboratory. Pacific Sci., 2 (1), 67-68. 

 Johnson, M. W. ; Everkst, F. A. ; and Young, R. W. (1947) : The Role of 



Snapping Shrimp (Crangon and Synalpheus) in the Production of Underwater 



Noise in the Sea. Biof. Bui., 93 (2), 122-138. 

 KuLLENBERG, B. (1947) : The Piston Core Sampler. Svenska Hydr. -Biol. Kom. 



Skrifter III, 1 (2), 1-4^^. 



Pettersson, H. (1948) : The Swedish Deep-sea Expedition. Pacific Sci., 2 (4), 

 231-238. 



Utinoati, H. (1944): Bibliographica Micronesica/ Scientice Natnralis et Ciiltus . 

 208 p. Hokuryiikan Pub. Co., Tokyo. 



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