Chapter XI 



FURTHERING MARINE SCIENCE 

 RESEARCH AND MANPOWER 



In the prologue to "An Oceanic Quest" ^ the National Academy of Sci- 

 ences and the National Academy of Engineering recommend these ob- 

 jecti\'es for future U.S. marine research programs to be performed during the 

 International Decade of Ocean Exploration: "To achieve more compre- 

 hensive knowledge of ocean characteristics and their changes and more pro- 

 found understanding of oceanic processes for the purpose of more effective 

 utilization of the ocean and its resources." In its report, "Our Nation and the 

 Sea," the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources rec- 

 ommended that "The Nation should establish as a major goal the advance- 

 ment of an understanding of the planetary oceans as a principal focus for 

 its future basic marine science efTort." 



Both recommendations suggest the importance of fundamental and applied 

 oceanographic research to the attainment of better understanding and of 

 more rational use of the seas. In an attempt to turn the results of the 

 national marine research program to best advantage, there has been, over 

 the past decade, a concerted effort on the part of the Federal agencies 

 to develop and foster programs of broad basic research which would 

 ultimately enhance the future use of the world ocean. 



Dimensions and Nature of Research 



Scientific research, in its broadest aspects, has been the supporting struc- 

 ture that has allowed the present national ocean program to flourish and 

 expand to meet significant, current marine-related problems. Although 

 large-scale cooperative experiments are necessary for establishing and verify- 

 ing phenomena on a planetary scale, only thoughtful study and research 

 by individual investigators make these possible. 



The value of most research is not time limited. Usefulness of data, al- 

 though they may decay in their absolute value, carries on as a foundation 

 for future work or as a basis for more applied activities. Excellence in con- 

 tent and method is insurance that basic studies will serve as keystones in 



^ "An Oceanic Quest: The International Decade of Ocean Exploration," an 

 appraisal of the Decade prepared for the Marine Sciences Council by the National 

 Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, 1969. 



145 



// we are to understand, predict the behavior of and use the marine environment 

 we must employ basic marine research. Here, an investigator studies 

 coral-destroying "Crown of Thorns" Starfish in the Pacific. 



