January 17, 1969. 

 To THE Congress of the United States: 



The sea holds new promise for the enhancement of men's lives — for eco- 

 nomic and social betterment and for world peace and understanding. 



Since enactment of the Marine Resources and Engineering Development 

 Act three years ago, the United States has embarked on a concerted national 

 enterprise to realize that promise. We engaged the ideas, encouraged the 

 participation and focused the investments of our Federal Government, states, 

 industry and universities on more effective and intelligent use of the marine 

 environment. 

 We sought to: 



— Enhance the many uses of our seashore and coastal waters by direct- 

 ing national attention to the need for skillful management of this 

 Coastal Zone; 

 — Expand our knowledge of the seas by launching the International 



Decade of Ocean Exploration; 

 — Promote world order and understanding by strengthening the frame- 

 work of international law and cooperation governing ocean activities; 

 —Foster national security by advancing the Navy's technological capa- 

 bilities to operate within the ocean; 

 — Stimulate the economy by encouraging development of marine 



energy and food resources ; 

 — Combat malnutrition in developing countries by extracting new 



sources of protein from the sea; 

 — Protect the life and property by safer maritime practices and measures 



to prevent pollution; 

 — Strengthen our base of research and education in marine sciences by 

 supporting Sea Grant and other university programs. 

 While modern science and technology afford powerful means to translate 

 marine potentialities into realities, the economic, social, legal and political 

 considerations are equally decisive in utilizing the seas to achieve the goals 

 and aspirations of our society. To this end, the National Council on Marine 

 Resources and Engineering Development under chairmanship of the Vice 

 President has illuminated goals, formulated priorities and coordinated and 

 advanced our Federal marine policies and programs. 



The Council's Third Report on Marine Science Affairs relates the sea 

 to our people's diversified endeavors, summarizes progress during the past 

 years and sets forth major recent accomplishments of the eleven Federal 

 agencies engaged in marine sciences. In Fiscal Year 1970, I am requesting 

 that $528 million be provided to build on these achievements. 



The report is commended to all who look to the future for ways to rein- 

 force our country's vitality and strength. 



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