INTRODUCTION 



A New National Policy 



For marine sciences, the year 1966 was a significant turning point. 

 Through the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act, 

 the 89th Congress developed, and the President approved, a new na- 

 tional policy to intensify the study of the sea, and to convert to prac- 

 tical reality its inherent promise for man's benefit. 



This national policy is unprecedented in its breadth. It continues 

 the quest for scientific knowledge of the marine environment. It also 

 marks a significant transition toward strengthening ocean engineering 

 and stimulating new ocean technologies : 



— to contribute to national security; 



— to enhance commerce and transportation; 



— to rehabilitate domestic fisheries and increase the harvest from 



the sea; 

 — to develop seashore resources and to reduce pollution of the Great 



Lakes, bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters; 

 — to improve forecasting of weather and ocean conditions; 

 — to supplement continental sources of oil, gas, and minerals ; 

 — to promote international understanding and cooperation through 



the use of the oceans. 



The Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act, Public 

 Law 89-454, calls on the President to develop a comprehensive, 

 long-range, and coordinated national program in marine science, with 

 the assistance of a National Council on Marine Resources and Engi- 

 neering Development, and an advisory Commission on Marine Science, 

 Engineering, and Resources. 



The Council is composed of the Vice President, who serves as 

 Chairman, five members of the Cabinet and three heads of other 

 Federal agencies. It has statutoiy responsibility to advise and assist 

 the President in policy planning and coordination of the marine sci- 

 ence programs of eleven Federal agencies. 



First Council Report 



This initial report by the Marine Sciences Council to the President 

 communicates some new steps taken to meet the needs and opportuni- 

 ties in the ocean, and thus to accelerate marine sciences toward objec- 

 tives laid down by law. It outlines the Council's interpretation of 



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