Marine Science Affairs 



technically possible, but also what is socially or economically desirable, and 

 finally, what is feasible in the context of considerations that go beyond 

 marine science affairs. 



While the responsibility for leadership must largely rest on the Federal 

 Government, our ocean activities embrace the States, industry, the academic 

 world and other nations and involve complex interrelationships and inter- 

 dependencies among these participants. The subtitle of this report "A Year 

 of Broadened Participation" reflects special efforts during the past year to 

 develop a more viable partnership of all concerned interests. 



These activities and institutions may be thought of as being in two 

 classes: the first are knowledge-generating; the second are knowledge- 

 consuming. Effective articulation between the two is obviously required 

 to match needs and opportunities. Policy planning has focused on imperfect 

 articulation between participants, to identify and where possible dissolve 

 inadvertent impediments to the smooth application of marine discoveries. 



Within the Federal Government, interaction between knowledge pro- 

 ducers and knowledge consumers has operated most effectively in the case 

 of the Navy. This agency has had the clearest and strongest requirements for 

 marine environmental data and historically has been this country's major 

 sponsor of marine research, both basic and applied. Our progress in civilian 

 fields has largely stemmed from this naval research base. Today, the Navy 

 still funds more than one-half of the Federal marine science program. 



In the case of civilian uses of the sea, however, we have been far less 

 effective in matching scientific and technological capabilities to our needs. 

 The number and variety of participants, their frequent competition of in- 

 terests, the need to introduce non-technical considerations of law, finance, 

 and foreign relations, and the setting of priorities in a more public forum 

 have been accompanied by new communication problems between science, 

 technology, and marine affairs. 



As a consequence, virtually all of the issues that follow are focused on 

 strengthening the civilian component of marine affairs. They have been 

 selected from a substantially larger set of issues for long-term developments 

 in marine science affairs, and are set forth as questions: 



1. How should marine related, civilian activities be organized in the 

 Federal Government — and policy planning and coordination carried out for 

 the President — to implement the mandate of P.L. 89-454 and to assure 

 requisite leadership, meaningful priorities, and appropriate partnership with 

 States, other nations, American industry, and science? 



2. How may more effective use of coastal waters and land be achieved for 

 public and private purposes — with due consideration for heightened State 

 involvement, and improved Coastal Zone research capabilities — to foster 

 prudent resource management? 



3. What are the alternative legal arrangements dealing with the seabed 

 boundaries of national sovereignty, and international disposition of rights 



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