Marine Science Affairs 



time within which the Commission's report could be submitted, namely 

 to January 9, 1969; and (b) changed the expiration date of the Council to 

 June 30, 1969, in order to insure continued assistance to the President. 



Implementation of Fiscal Year 1968 Initiatives 



On the recommendation of the Council last year, the President selected 

 nine areas of marine science for priority attention and support during 

 FY 1968. These initiatives are discussed in later chapters, and highlights of 

 their implementation follow : 

 1. International Cooperation. 



— The United States proposed to the United Nations General Assembly 

 that it establish a Committee on the Oceans to foster international 

 cooperation and to take steps for the evolution of an international 

 legal structure which would enhance exploration and use of the 

 seabed. 

 — During the Latin American Summit Meeting at Punta del Este and 

 in the communique following the visit of Japanese Premier Sato 

 to the United States, marine science cooperation was identified 

 as an area for special emphasis. 

 — As the result of efTorts by the United States supported by a number 

 of other nations, the International Telecommunication Union set 

 aside radio frequencies for exclusive use in transmitting oceano- 

 graphic data. 

 — ^Plans were developed to propose establishment of international 



marine preserves. 

 — Fifty foreign scientists participated in the global scientific expedi- 

 tion of the OCEANOGRAPHER. 



— British, Australian, and Canadian divers entered aquanaut training 

 in the United States in preparation for their participation in 

 SEALAB III experiments in the summer of 1968. 



— Administrative delays in arranging for Soviet fishery research ships 

 to call at U.S. ports have been greatly reduced to promote bilateral 

 research projects of mutual benefit. 



— Legal studies were undertaken under Council contracts to gain new 

 insight into some of the international problems involved in develop- 

 ing marine resources. 



— Studies were completed of the marine science programs of other 

 nations and of international organizations. 

 2. Food from the Sea. — This program was established to exploit the 

 untapped food resources of the sea as a new source of inexpensive protein 



12 



