Marine Science Affairs 



developed the initial framework for the Integrated Global Ocean Station 

 System (IGOSS).^ 



The WMO Executive Committee established a Panel on the Meteorologi- 

 cal Aspects of Ocean Affairs to provide guidance on ocean activities gen- 

 erally and to provide coordination with IOC, especially in implementation 

 of IGOSS. The WMO Commission on Maritime Meteorology called for 

 expanding international cooperation in the exploration of the ocean. 



The Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) 

 took steps toward amending the 1960 Convention on Safety of Life at Sea 

 and preparing recommendations to member governments designed to im- 

 prove safety measures and prevent pollution of the seas. IMCO also con- 

 sidered measures which would authorize coastal State actions on the high 

 seas. to prevent pollution, but progress in developing recommendations re- 

 garding the responsibility of shipowners or cargo owners for costs of cleaning 

 up pollution has been slow. 



The FAO supports a broad range of fishery projects in the developing 

 countries. These projects far exceed the scope of similar projects supported 

 through bilateral and other multilateral channels. The extent of the U.S. 

 contribution to these FAO projects is indicated in Table III-l. The FAO's 

 Committee on Fisheries proposed in 1968 as a further step that its six re- 

 gional fisheries bodies develop specific regional research and development 

 projects which could be presented to various multilateral funding agencies 

 including the U.N. Development Program. 



The U.N. Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East accelerated 

 investigations of the Continental Shelf of four Asian nations, and U.S. Navy 

 aircraft provided support for geomagnetic surveys. 



Cooperating on a Regional Basis 



Marine science and technology offer many opportunities for regional co- 

 operation which can strengthen scientific and economic capacities and pro- 

 mote regional economic development and political stability. Therefore, the 

 United States is fostering regional cooperation through bilateral and multi- 

 lateral arrangements and through the regional activities of the U.N. family 

 of organizations. 



In Europe, regional marine programs can potentially contribute to 

 strengthening Atlantic alliances, furthering economic integration of Western 

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

 Science Committee's Ad Hoc Study Group on Oceanography has recently 



® IGOSS is contemplated as a world-wide system for observing the marine environ- 

 ment, communicating and processing the data, and disseminating the products in 

 real-time for use by marine interests. IGOSS would be closely related to and co- 

 ordinated with the World Weather Watch Programs. 



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