and in strengthening interagency programs. In the months to come, 

 the independent analysis of marine science policies, being conducted 

 now by the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Re- 

 sources will complement the Federal Government's own studies. 



The President's budget proposals for fiscal year 1968 and his activat- 

 ing the Marine Sciences Council respond lo the legislative mandate of 

 1966. Both are responses to observations of the President's Science 

 Advisory Committee that important Federal functions had received 

 inadequate attention in the past : tha/t there was need at a central point 

 in Government for the formulation of national marine science policies 

 which would foster exploration, development, and use of the oceans. 

 The Marine Sciences Council, being composed of the most senior Fed- 

 eral officials who have departmental responsibilities in marine sciences 

 and who report individually, and through the Council collectively, to 

 the President, serves as a vehicle for imparting direction and mo- 

 mentum to the collective national effort. 



With congressional approval of the President's budget proposals 

 which are reflected in this report, the Council will have a major re- 

 sponsibilty to be sure that these steps return dividends and that they 

 serve as building blocks in a strengthened marine sciences program. 



Looking ahead, forward planning on a Government- wide basis will 

 complement our shorter term initiatives, especially to encourage an 

 influx of fresh ideas and provide policy officials with a greater aware- 

 ness of the impact of new options afforded by the marine environment. 



Long-range perspectives will then reflect (a) future commitments 

 for funds that arise from current decisions; (&) the time interval 

 necessary for training of manpower and development of scientific re- 

 sources; (c) the long time framework associated with interactions 

 be ween various economic, cultural, and political institutions, and (d) 

 the longer term impact of man's actions on his environment, so as to 

 anticipate and moderate detrimental effects. 



During the coming months the Marine Sciences Council will give 

 special attention to a selected number of policy areas : 



— Identification of the goals of the Nation and of society and the 

 capacity of marine sciences to accelerate progress toward these 

 goals ; 



— The potential contribution of marine science and technology to 

 world order and peace ; 



— The role of the Federal Government along the shoreline and in 

 the oceans, and methods of cooperation between the Federal Gov- 

 ernment and States, regions, universities, and private industry; 



— The administrative, legal, and technological framework for en- 

 couraging the rational exploitation of the resources of the sea; 



— Further strengthening of the healthy base of scientific research 

 which characterizes our marine science programs ; 



103 



