The first annual Marine Sciences Council report to the President was 

 prepared in 1967, entitled "Marine Science Affairs — A Year of Transition." 

 The report emphasized the transition from scientific oceanography to appli- 

 cation of these scientific discoveries, and the transition from considerations 

 largely at the program level to a new concern and responsibility at the policy 

 level of Government. 



The second annual report, entitled "Marine Science Affairs — A Year of 

 Plans and Progress," presented a broad range of policy considerations re- 

 lating the potential of the oceans to major national goals and to action pro- 

 grams to aid in their achievement. It laid the basis for intensified Govern- 

 ment-wide planning efforts and for increased emphasis on selected priority 

 areas such as the war on hunger, international cooperation, and implemen- 

 tation of the Sea Grant Program. 



The third annual report, entitled "Marine Science Affairs — A Year of 

 Broadened Participation," summarized accomplishments in 1968, and em- 

 phasizing the relationship of marine science affairs to the mainstream of 

 public policy and to non-Federal institutions. New emphasis was directed to 

 the rational development of the coastal zone, Arctic development, and to 

 steps leading to a framework of international law and cooperation in 

 the oceans. 



This fourth annual report, "Marine Science Affairs — Selecting Priority 

 Programs," summarizes accomplishments in 1969, describing Federal pro- 

 grams and policies, and new programs implemented to meet those policies. 

 The report describes the priorities that have been selected in the Federal 

 marine science program during 1969. A new level of maturity is reflected 

 in U.S. oceanic activities, the Nation having advanced from the identifica- 

 tion of critical issues, to the establishment of priority goals, and the develop- 

 ment of urgent programs to meet those goals. A fundamental precept guiding 

 Federal marine science activities during the past year has been that of 

 preserving the quality of the environment. Longstanding national efforts 

 to protect U.S. citizens from natural hazards of the environment have now 

 been joined by the important and essential objective of protecting the en- 

 vironment from man and his technology. 



The first chapter of this annual report reviews the steps taken by the 

 Federal Government during 1969 to advance and fund the marine science 

 program toward goals set forth in the Marine Sciences Act, including the 

 Presidential approval of a priority, five-point program for fiscal year 1971 

 with emphasis on development of plans for coastal zone management, coastal 

 zone research, lake restoration, Arctic research, and U.S. participation in 

 the International Decade of Ocean Exploration. 



The second chapter highlights the issue of marine environmental quality 

 and examines the many important factors bearing on degradation of the 

 ocean, including the causes, effects and prevention of pollution, and misuse 

 of the marine environment; the third chapter reports on growing national 

 coastal zone activity and a new Federal policy for the coastal zone — the 

 area most threatened by problems involving marine environmental quality. 



The ensuing chapters describe Federal marine science objectives and pro- 

 grams that serve the following public objectives : 



