National Goals 



fishing, and boating, and many millions more are also directly af- 

 fected by degradation of the quality of our coastal waters. 



— The average age of our port structures is 45 years and the average 

 age of our merchant ships is 20 years even though there is an urgent 

 need to respond to the rapid changes in the character of ocean 

 cargoes and technologies of cargo handling. 

 And on the international scene : 



— Protein deficiencies plague millions in a number of the developing 

 countries located near abundant fishery resources which could pro- 

 vide economical sources of protein. 



— Unilateral acts to extend claims of national sovereignty great dis- 

 tances seaward threaten to erode the fundamental principle of free- 

 dom of the seas. 



— Pollutants are gradually spreading to distant reaches of the seas as 

 nations only slowly become concerned with maintaining the quality 

 of ocean waters. 



The Federal Response to the Challenge off the Ocean 



During the past year the Marine Sciences Council has turned its primary 

 attention to policy issues which can significantly affect economic growth, 

 the development of our coastal environment, national security, and inter- 

 national understanding. Beginning with the President's call for expanded 

 international cooperation in ocean exploration in his State of the Union mes- 

 sage, the year was characterized by a new determination to establish a sound 

 policy framework for carrying forth a program to meet the goals set forth 

 in the Marine Sciences Act, namely, to : 



— strengthen our economy by identifying new sources of food, fuel, 

 and mineral resources; by encouraging innovation in marine tech- 

 nology; and by enlarging U.S. participation in the world's maritime 

 activities ; 

 — enhance the quality of urban living by arresting degradation and 

 erosion of the shoreline, fostering rational waterfront development, 

 and expanding water recreation opportunities ; 

 — strengthen world understanding and security through international 

 cooperative marine endeavors, international legal arrangements to 

 avoid potential conflicts, and an unexcelled defense capability to 

 deter aggression ; and 

 — foster education and training of oceanographers, engineers, techni- 

 cians, and those from other professions through collaboration with 

 and assistance to our universities and technical institutes. 



