Marine Science Affairs 



of the Federal Government. Conflicts in viewpoint are inevitable. To assist 

 in formulating consistent Government-wide policies of international interest 

 the Committee on International Policy in the Marine Environment was 

 established by the Secretary of State at the request of the Vice President to 

 examine the major international ocean policies. The Marine Sciences Council 

 has requested all agencies to consult with the Department of State before 

 undertaking any seabed activities which could have international implica- 

 tions. For example, the Departments of State and the Interior consult in 

 advance on the issuance of offshore oil and gas permits and leases with 

 possible international implication. 



The Council has also consulted with the Arms Control and Disarmament 

 Agency concerning positions relating to seabed arms control. 



Because future international arrangements for the deep ocean floor will 

 have an important eflfect on a variety of public and private interests, and 

 to insure that all interests are given full consideration, the Government, in 

 the continuing development of its position, has sought the views of repre- 

 sentatives of the mineral, petroleum, maritime, and fishing industries, scien- 

 tists and scholars, and others with special qualifications. Also, concerned 

 Members and Committees of the Congress have been regularly consulted by 

 the Department of State and other agencies. 



Broadening Marine Science Activities of the U.N. Agencies 



Many of the U.N. bodies in which the United States participates have 

 expanded their marine science activities '^ to deal on a global scale with 

 the same variety of maritime functions and issues with which the U.S. Gov- 

 ernment deals within its separate agencies. Internationally, however, no 

 single organization provides a complete overview of ocean activities, al- 

 though the U.N. General Assembly partially assumes that role. 



Two reports were issued by the U.N. Secretary General in 1968 in response 

 to Resolutions introduced by the U.S. and adopted by the Economic and 

 Social Council (ECOSOC) and the General Assembly in 1966. The first 

 report on Resources of the Sea describes the potential of marine mineral 

 resources and marine food resources other than fish. The second report po- 

 vides a comprehensive survey of the current status of marine science and 

 technology of the individual U.N. members, with a number of specific 

 recommendations to further international cooperation in this field. 



^ The Council will soon release a report, "International Marine Science Organiza- 

 tions," which briefly describes the activities of the many concerned international 

 organizations. 



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