National Policy Planning 



functions or regulatory, enforcement, or management authority related to 

 recreation, commercial fishing and living resources, waste disposal, non- 

 living resources, maritime commerce, and conservation. While authorities 

 frequently overlap in individual States, most States usually vest commercial 

 fishery and conservation responsibilities in single agencies and grant mari- 

 time commerce planning and regulatory powers to port authorities or com- 

 missions. Pollution control is becoming an increasing area of State concern. 



These coastal States participate in a large number of interstate arrange- 

 ments, compacts, and bodies. These interstate institutions deal largely with 

 fisheries, commerce, transportation, water resources, conservation, and pol- 

 lution to serve a coordination or communication function. While their im- 

 pact is real, it is frequently restricted by staffing and budget limitations. At 

 a November meeting in Miami devoted to Coastal Zone planning and 

 management, representatives of 18 States adopted a Resolution calling for 

 establishment of an organization of maritime States. 



The close relationships between government agencies and the National 

 Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering are re- 

 flected in a contract between the Marine Sciences Council and the Acad- 

 emies concerning the scientific and engineering aspects of the International 

 Decade of Ocean Exploration as described in Chapter IX. 



To assist in identifying and coordinating the many diverse marine 

 activities being conducted by Federal and non-Federal institutions, the 

 Marine Sciences Council has supported steps to improve information transfer 

 within the marine community (Chapter XIII). Specific Council actions 

 include : a comprehensive data management study, an inventory of Federal 

 and non-Federal research, and discussions with information centers to urge 

 that more of their products be tailored to the needs of marine scientists and 

 program planners. 



A number of non-governmental organizations continue to provide advice 

 to the member agencies of the Council. The Departments of State and 

 the Interior have actively sought the views of the extractive industry and 

 many other private interests concerning the evolution of a legal regime for 

 the seabed, an issue of particular industrial interest. Also, the maritime 

 industry has been closely involved in the development of our domestic and 

 international shipping policies. 



Advice is broadly sought from all of the foregoing constituencies in 

 order to assist in evaluation of Federal agency programs. Each year task 

 groups of consultants are convened in mission-oriented panels, representing 

 the spectrum of marine science interests, to receive agency presentations 

 and then to provide to the Council a candid analysis of strengths and 

 weaknesses, including recommendations as to further steps to meet statutory 

 objectives. 



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