— the pollution analyst interested in the flushing capacity of ocean- 

 connected bays or estuaries. 



Previous data studies and evaluations in the areas of bathymetry, 

 geosciences, hydrobiology, air-sea interactions, fish distribution, radia- 

 tion, and the like will be assembled in support of, and to prevent dupli- 

 cation by, the new study. Existing activities, such as the U.S. Coast 

 Guard sensor platform and buoy study and similar ESSA and U.S. 

 Navy endeavors are now being, or will be, reviewed to assure cor- 

 relation and prevent duplication with the data study. 



The functions and role of the NODC will be key elements within the 

 scope of the study. The NODC is now providing such services as : 



— exchange of data, including provision of free machine listings 

 and punched cards in return for receiving data on standard NODC 

 forms ; 



— participation in international programs and providing interna- 

 tional exchange of services ; 



— consultative and advisory services; 



— forms and publications ; 



— answering "incidental" requests for information and data. 



The very breadth, complexity, and rapidly changing character of 

 marine data has made the NODC job exceedingly difficult. The lack 

 of overall national dafca methods, limited funds, and incomplete knowl- 

 edge of user needs, are among other factors that have prevented the 

 NODC from evolving into the institution of the breadth and scope 

 that is needed to meet the objectives of the marine sciences legislation. 

 Means will thus be examined, aimed at, but not limited to the follow- 

 ing: 



— evaluation and reduction of an inherited data backlog including 

 the development of criteria to determine the value of some of 

 the collections; 



— consideration of a common, nationally (and internationally) ac- 

 ceptable programming "language" for linkage with other data 

 storage facilities, memory banks, and computers; 



— development of systems and processing capabilities to handle 

 data ; ' 



— the development of additional quality control, archiving, and 

 information retrieval systems. 



The data study will be a key mechanism for rationalizing the data 

 picture on a national scale for the benefit of all actual and potential 

 originators and users of oceanographic data. The Marine Sciences 

 Council objectives, however, can only be achieved if they are in har- 

 mony with the endeavors of other interested bodies and if the products 



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