Chapter I 



MARINE SCIENCES AND NATIONAL 

 GOALS 



In recent years, the United States has recognized the importance and 

 potential that the world ocean holds for the Nation's well-being and secu- 

 rity. Internationally, the potential of the oceans has stirred intensified 

 interest. 



The world community has come to recognize the ocean as a primary 

 generator of much of the world's weather and the source of nearly all 

 moisture upon which life on the continents depends. Nations which some 

 25 years ago first turned to the sea!bed for sources of fuel now realize 16 

 percent of the free world output of oil and gas from offshore wells. Nations 

 have recognized, too, that the oceans provide a source of protein that may 

 assist in solving the world food problem. 



The United States has come to appreciate the esthetic as well as the 

 economic values of its precious natural coastline. Forty-five percent of the 

 Nation's population is concentrated in coastal counties. Future burgeoning 

 megalopoli will further crowd the coast, and intensified use will generate 

 conflict between those who wish to transport bulk cargoes of ore, fuel and 

 chemicals through the Nation's marine gateways, those who wish to develop 

 industry, those who wish to live, swim, fish, and sail along the coast, and 

 those who seek to dump municipal and industrial waste into "convenient" 

 estuarine sinks. 



Federal marine science activities in 1969 clearly reflected the Nation's 

 growing use of the world ocean. The Marine Sciences Council continued 

 to assist the President in planning, development of policy, and cordination 

 of Federal programs. During 1969 the Council placed increased emphasis 

 on consideration of management and institutional issues bearing on the 

 Nation's evolving ocean program. The policy and program decisions taken 

 during the year served to indicate the Nation's increased awareness of the 

 need to understand, manage, and make wise and efficient use of the marine 

 environment; an awareness that — 



(1) Growing concentrations of population along the coasts of the 

 United States and the world, with attendant problems of multiple use 

 and threats of marine TX)llution, reauire immediate, careful attention; 



(2) The oceans can be used to help meet the Nation's and the world 

 community's economic and social needs; 



Surf pounds Sunset Cliffs, San Diego, part of the Nation's 

 17,000-mile coastline. During 1969, increased Federal attention 

 was devoted to coastal zone policy and programs. 



