The pooling of knowledge about these resources by interested nations during 

 the Decade could contribute significantly to development and management 

 of world fisheries resources. 



More accurate, timely, and long-range forecasts of climate and weather 

 conditions, storms, waves, ice, tidal waves, coastal surf and currents, storm 

 surges, floods, and ocean temperatures will benefit expanding commercial 

 and recreational marine activities; reduce the destruction of life and 

 property in the coastal zone and at sea; and enhance industry, agriculture, 

 water management, and other land activities dependent on a better under- 

 standing of the interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere. 

 Recurring hurricane devastation in the southeast and gulf coasts of United 

 States has underscored the importance of accurate and timely environmental 

 forecasts. 



The oceans also serve as a unique scientific laboratory. Effective explora- 

 tion of the oceans is best achieved through balanced research and surveys — 

 between programs to solve specific scientific problems and programs for 

 systematic collection of data on a geographical base. Such patterns of 

 accelerated ocean investigation will result in advancement of science on a 

 broad front as we expand our knowledge of the geology and geophysics of 

 the ocean basins, the interaction of living organisms, and the ecology of the 

 marine environment. This knowledge can be usefully applied in all nations' 

 evolving oceanic activities. 



The Decade does not contemplate exploration of every square mile of the 

 world's ocean nor investigation of every conceivable ocean phenomenon. 

 But it emphasizes that, collectively, the nations of the world can identify the 

 most promising geographical areas and lines of scientific inquiry, and by 

 careful selection focus emphasis on inquiries of greatest promise. The imple- 

 mentation of this major international undertaking in 1970 marks a signifi- 

 cant step forward in international cooperative use of the world ocean. 



199 



