Marine Science Affairs 



among the conventions and the world hunger problem must be better under- 

 stood; and more attention should be given to the economic as well as the 

 conservation aspects of specific international fishery agreements. 



4. International Marine Preserves 



As man's influence on the natural marine environment increases, there is 

 an urgent need to preserve major types of unmodified ocean habitats for re- 

 search and education in the marine sciences. Such areas can serve as eco- 

 logical baselines to provide a basis for comparison in future investigations of 

 the oceans. Therefore, international consideration should be given to the 

 establishment of international marine wilderness preserves. For example, 

 characteristic marine features such as a deep ocean trench, a group of sea 

 mounts, and an uninhabited coral atoll might be set aside exclusively for 

 research and education. 



5. Ocean Acres 



The concept of international ocean acres, i.e. limited ocean areas desig- 

 nated for intensive research over a period of many years, was also endorsed 

 by the Council. Ocean acres might be established in the vicinity of marine 

 preserves or could be established independent of preserves such as the areas 

 in the North Atlantic identified by several nations as of particular interest in 

 connection with the projects of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic 

 Commission. 



6. Cooperation on a Regional Basis 



Marine science and technology offer many opportunities for regional 

 cooperation which can strengthen scientific and economic capabilities and 

 promote regional cohesiveness and stability. Therefore, the United States is 

 emphasizing regional cooperation through more deliberate . use of many 

 bilateral and multi-lateral channels. 



In carrying out the policy enunciated by the President at Punta del Este to 

 support regional marine science and technology activities, the United States 

 is considering projects related to: 



— development of the Plate River Basin; 



— regional marine science centers of excellence ; 



— U.S. support of marine research and education in Latin America; 



— cooperative Caribbean research activities. 

 With regard to Europe, regional marine programs can contribute to 

 strengthening Atlantic alliances, furthering the economic integration of 

 Western Europe, and quickening progress in East-West relations. The 

 United States has discussed in the Organization for Economic Cooperation 

 and Development the possibility of cooperative work in various aspects of 

 marine science aflFairs and continues to support the activities of the NATO 

 Subcommittee on Oceanography. Also the United States will shortly rejoin 

 the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas. 



32 



