Decade of Ocean Exploration 



Finally, participation by a larger number of countries in ocean explora- 

 tion is being encouraged, especially those which have a maritime geography 

 but which may have previously lacked interest, trained manpower, or capa- 

 bilities to explore the oceans, even near their own shores. In this way, devel- 

 oping nations should be able to share the capabilities of the more developed 

 countries, to acquire contemporary technology for their own use, and to 

 increase opportunities to identify contiguous marine resources. 



Illustrative Types of Projects and Objectives 



As a point of departure for international discussions, consideration might 

 be given to the following kinds of projects: 



— surveys of selected ocean areas, principally from oceanographic ships, 

 complemented by increasing use of other platforms such as space- 

 craft, buoys, submersibles, and ships of opportunity; 

 — intensive study of designated ocean areas of limited expanse; 

 — research directed to specific ocean phenomena ; 

 — development of improved worldwide (a) instrument calibration, and 

 (b) data collection, processing, storage, and distribution facilities 

 and services to facilitate international exchange of data; 

 — assistance in strengthening the technical capabilities of the develop- 

 ing nations to participate in exploration programs, including man- 

 power training ; and 

 — provision of precise navigation aids and use of other advanced tech- 

 nological capabilities. 

 Illustrative of the types of objectives for such collaborative endeavors that 

 might be considered internationally are these examples: 



1. Exploration of Living Resources 



— assessment of living resources useful to man in poorly charted regions 



of the world ocean ; 

 — assessment of current utilization of known fishery stocks ; and 

 — acquisition of knowledge relating living resources to their environ- 

 ment in order that greater efficiency in their capture and con- 

 servation can be achieved. 



2. Exploration of the Ocean Floor 



— determination of the geological structure and mineral and energy 

 resource potential of the world's continental margins; 



— preparation of topographic, geological, and geophysical maps of 

 selected areas of the deep ocean floor; and 



— coring and drilling on the continental margins and deep ocean floor 

 in selected areas. 



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