Chapter XII 



RESEARCH— THE BASE OF THE MARINE SCIENCE EFFORT 

 Research Content and Scope 



Earlier chapters have been concerned with the application of ocean 

 science and technology to meet the needs of the Nation. The possi- 

 bility of meeting each need depends on a strong scientific base. In 

 the past, the efforts of the Federal Government have been directed 

 primarily toward strengthening this base, through intensified aca- 

 demic research, constructing modern ships and laboratories, and sup- 

 porting education and training to assure a continuing influx of talented 

 people into this field. The Marine Resources and Engineering Devel- 

 opment Act of 1966 gives new impetus to the application of our marine 

 science capabilities. Implementation of that Act, as recommended by 

 the Council in this document, gives added significance to this year's 

 Presidential request for fiscal support of academically related research. 



Oceanographic research is considered here to encompass (1) scien- 

 tific exploration, which seeks to answer the questions of how or why, 

 and (2) geographic exploration which is concerned more with the 

 questions of what, where, and when. Both basic and mission-related 

 research are included. Fundamental disciplines are involved, such 

 as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics; so, too, are the earth 

 sciences and basic fields of engineering. 



When science meets the sea, two general groups of scientists partici- 

 pate. In one group, a scientist may consider himself oceanographer 

 first and marine biologist second. In the other, the scientist, such as 

 the microbiologist, looks to the sea as a laboratory, providing special 

 opportunities to understand his subjects. Both groups are necessary 

 to the strength of the scientific base. 



Research contributions in the marine sciences have come from the 

 universities, from industry, and from government laboratories. 

 Research has been conducted both by multidisciplinary teams and by 

 the physicist, chemist, biologist, or geologist working alone. The 

 Federal Government has not only drawn on scientific results of com- 

 pleted research but has continuously sought the advice of non-Federal 

 scientists as to what should be done and by whom. Close communi- 

 cation between the Federal Government and the universities has been 

 a big factor in the success of U.S. science. 



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