Chapter XIII 



EXPANDING INTERNATIONAL 

 COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING 



The ^vorld ocean washes the shores of more than 100 nations. Yet the 

 deep sea knows no political boundaries; it is inherently international. New 

 oceanic technologies are also global, and as industry and nations use these 

 technologies for exploration and exploitation and undertake activities more 

 intensively, farther and farther from shore, international interest in the 

 ocean increases.^ As interests and operations increase and converge, com- 

 petition for resources grows. Thus international cooperation in ocean activi- 

 ties becomes important to foster world order and development and to 

 prevent and mitigate conflicts and rivalries. 



International cooperation is also needed to obtain more and better infor- 

 mation about the oceans. Because of the size, complexity, and variability 

 of the marine environment, international cooperation in scientific investi- 

 gations is needed if many aspects of the oceans are to be studied in a 

 reasonably short and useful period of time. The United States — and all 

 nations — can derive maximum benefit from the marine environment if 

 they share the responsibilities and the results of their collective capability 

 in ocean research. 



A multinational approach to the peaceful uses of the seas is desirable and 

 necessary. The Marine Sciences Act calls for cooperation with other nations, 

 groups of nations and international organizations in marine science activi- 

 ties.- The United States is seeking to further international understanding 

 in its expanding activities in the oceans, to encourage other nations to 



^ The increasing worldwide activities in marine science affairs are described in the 

 following five Marine Sciences Council publications: "Marine Science Activities of 

 the Nations of Africa," "Marine Science Activities of the Nations of East Asia," 

 "Marine Science Activities of Canada and the Nations of Europe," "Marine Science 

 Activities of the Nations of Latin America," "Marine Science Activities of the Nations 

 of the Near East and South Asia." These and other Council publications are listed 

 in app. C-3. 



^As international policy objectives, sec. 2 of the act states: "The preservation of 

 the role of the United States as a leader in marine science and resource development." 

 Also, "* * * The cooperation by the United States with other nations * * * in 

 marine science activities when such cooperation is in the national interest." Section 

 6 of the act states: "The Council, under the foreign policy guidance of the President 

 and as he may request, shall coordinate a program of international cooperation in 

 work done pursuant to this Act, pursuant to agreements made by the President with 

 the advice and consent of the Senate." 



181 



The U.S. and Soviet research vessels Albatross IV (fore- 

 ground) and Albatros steam in company during a cooperative 

 fisheries research cruise off Southern New England in 1969. 



