fish, alters water salinity, affecting marine life such as crabs, shrimp, and 

 oysters. Jetty and groin construction alters the local movement of sand, 

 changing beach ecology and upsetting sessile organisms. Hurricane barriers 

 disturb the normal circulation of bay waters important to aquatic life. 

 Yet, not all modifications or pollutants are harmful. The heating of 

 coastal waters by the electric power industry provides an example. Under 

 certain circumstances the increased temperature may enrich the productivity 

 of an area by accelerating growth and provide a valuable asset in commercial 

 production of crabs, shrimp, and fish. It may also enhance an area's recre- 

 ation potential. Aquaculture can be improved through fertilization, and 

 greater yields can be achieved in some cases by fertilizing ponds with bio- 

 logically purified sewage effluent. Chemical wastes can settle turbidity and 

 clarify water. Car bodies, tires, and rubble have been tested for use as arti- 

 ficial marine habitats for sport fish, and certain acid wastes reportedly have 

 attracted sportfish. Coastal works can help preserve the environment from 

 degradation. More study of the possible beneficial uses of controlled pollution 

 and modifications is needed. 



International and National Concern 



The dangers of environmental pollution have generated international and 

 domestic concern. Strong public pressures are now building up to determine 

 the nature and extent of these problems and to find solutions to them. Re- 

 cently the United Nations General Assembly adopted a number of resolu- 

 tions calling for investigation of the problems and the need to reduce marine 

 pollution.^ 



The Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), 

 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Meteorological 

 Organization (WMO), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and 

 Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have estabhshed a joint Group of 

 Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution.^ In November 1969, 

 the IMCO assembly decided to convene an international conference to con- 

 sider adopting a convention on questions relating to marine pollution from 

 oil. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission's Comprehensive 

 Outline of the Scope of the Long-term and Expanded Program of Oceanic 

 Exploration and Research provides for scientific studies on ocean pollution.^ 

 NATO nations recently acted to enhance their work in the field of the 

 human environment and have urged that this area become one of broader 

 East- West cooperation. 



Related international activities promise to increase in the future. The 

 FAO plans to hold a conference in 1970 on marine pollution and its effects 

 on living resources and fishing. The Council of Europe has scheduled a 

 conference on Man and Environment in Strasbourg, France, this year. 

 The Economic Commission for Europe is preparing for a Conference on 



* Recent resolutions of the U.N. General Assembly on ocean pollution are included 

 in app. D-1. 



' Additional actions of the U.N. family of organizations concerning ocean pollution 

 are discussed in ch. XIII. 



' The expanded program is discussed in greater detail in ch. XIII and XIV. 



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