Marine Science Affairs 



of the oceans. The oceans are largely unexplored beyond the gross shape and 

 structure of the sea floor, and maps for science, economic development, and 

 national defense are often inadequate. Needs are multiplying for a wide 

 variety of maps delineating biological stocks, mineral resources, and physical 

 and geophysical characteristics of the sea and seabed. Figures XII-1 and 

 XII-2 describe the current extent of our knowledge of regional geology and 

 living resources close to U.S. shores. 



Mapping, charting, and geodesy account for roughly 19 percent of the 

 marine science funding (Table XII-1). Over 30 ships in the Federal 

 oceanographic fleet are engaged in ocean surveying activities. A number of 

 agencies conduct mission oriented surveys, with ESSA and Navy supporting 

 most of the effort and providing most of the widely used general purpose 

 maps. The objectives of ESSA's Continental Shelf mapping program are 

 briefly described in Chapter VII and Navy activities are summarized in 

 Chapter V. Additionally, ESSA conducts a deep sea mapping program 

 (SEAMAP) intended to provide 1:1,000,000 scale bathymetric and geo- 

 physical mapping of 30 percent of the world's deep oceans for economic and 

 scientific purposes. Another long-range goal is development of a capability 

 to permit recharting of all U.S. coastal waters on a 50-year cycle. 



Figure XII-1 — Status of Knowledge of Regional Offshore Geology 



SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. 



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