Introduction 



— the cooperation by the United States with other nations and groups 

 of nations and international organizations in marine science activities 

 when such cooperation is in the national interest. 



Initial governmental efforts to respond to these challenges were described 

 in the First Annual Marine Sciences Report of the President, released 

 in 1967, entitled "Marine Science Affairs — A Year of Transition." The 

 Report emphasized the transition from scientific oceanography to applica- 

 tion of these scientific discoveries and the transition from considerations 

 largely at the program level to a new concern and responsibility at the policy 

 level of government. The Second Annual Report, entitled "Marine Science 

 Affairs — A Year of Plans and Progress," presented a broad range of policy 

 considerations relating the potential of the oceans to major national goals 

 and to action programs to aid in their achievement. It laid the basis for 

 intensified government-wide planning efforts and for increased emphasis 

 on selected priority areas such as the War on Hunger, international coopera- 

 tion, and implementation of the Sea Grant Program. 



During the past year, the Marine Sciences Council has endeavored to 

 ensure that early initiatives were being supported and to develop a more 

 rational institutional framework to sustain a long-term program. Major 

 national purposes have been more clearly enunciated and impediments to 

 progress have been isolated, including both gaps in scientific knowledge 

 and barriers arising from institutional conflicts, neglect, or obsolescence. 

 Marine science has been more effectively injected into the mainstream of 

 public policy, and our maritime presence is being revived to serve the press- 

 ing needs of our society. A new emphasis has been placed on rational develop- 

 ment of our Coastal Zone — the margin where the sea meets the land and the 

 people — through cooperative programs with the States, on formulating a 

 deliberate and concerted policy for Arctic development, and on steps to pro- 

 vide a framework of international law and of cooperation which will mitigate 

 conflicts as nations utilize the marine environment more intensively. 



This Third Annual Report, entitled "Marine Science Affairs — A Year of 

 Broadened Participation," summarizes accomplishments in 1968, describes 

 our policies and programs, and identifies our goals and milestones. It should 

 complement the report of the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, 

 and Resources, released on January 11, 1969. Although there has not been 

 time yet to consider the Commission's findings and recommendations in 

 detail, they are referred to the incoming Administration for study and 

 implementation as appropriate. 



The first chapter of this Annual Report summarizes the major policy rec- 

 ommendations of the Marine Sciences Council and describes the FY 1970 

 Federal marine sciences budget — by agency, by public purpose, and by 

 marine science function. The next chapter discusses this Nation's stake in the 

 oceans in terms of marine geography — a physical, social, economic, and 

 political geography. Man's present diverse uses of the sea are expressed 



329^66 O— 69- 



