I would like to say just a few words to briefly discuss the impor- 

 tance and potential of marine biotechnology. Marine biotechnology 

 is the use of marine organisms or their components to provide 

 products and services. The application of traditional biotechnology 

 techniques in the marine realm is already showing the potential to 

 sustain and enhance the production of valuable living marine re- 

 sources while also offering a new, rich, source of potentially valu- 

 able commercial and medical chemicals. 



A few possible applications of marine biotechnology include aqua- 

 culture production, bioremediation — for example, pollution consum- 

 ing bacteria — diagnostic seafood safety testing, fish stock popu- 

 lation genetic control, and new industrial and biochemical products. 

 If the oceans are to continue to provide a bounty of natural re- 

 sources for the use of mankind, we must find full and innovative 

 ways to utilize and replenish their resources, and we believe that 

 marine biotechnology can offer this opportunity. 



Mr. Chairman, tnank you for giving me this opportunity to 

 present the NOAA fiscal year 1994 budget request. I would be 

 happy to answer any questions the committee may have. 



[The prepared statement of Dr. Baker follows:] 



Prepared Statement of Dr. D. James Baker 



Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am pleased and honored to ap- 



Sear before you today in support of the FY 1994 budget request for the National 

 •ceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 



The total NOAA request for FY 1994 is $1.92 billion. Of the total, $1.76 billion 

 are in the Operations, Research and Facilities (OR&F) appropriation, $79.1 million 

 are in the Construction appropriation, $23.1 million are in the Fleet Modernization 

 and Shipbuilding and Conversion appropriation, and $2.95 million are requested for 

 fisheries funds. The budget includes a total transfer of $62.9 million from the Pro- 

 mote and Develop Fisheries Products and Research account and the Damage Assess- 

 ment and Restoration Revolving Fund as offsets to the OR&F account. 



The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's FY 1994 budget request 

 ensures that the agency continues to meet the urgent environmental needs of the 

 1990's, as embodied in four broad priorities: 



• First, to continue modernization of the Nation's weather services — an invest- 

 ment increase of $217.4 million; 



• Second, to maintain critical operations in fisheries, ocean and coastal manage- 

 ment, oceanic and atmospheric research, weather services, and satellites — $46.5 mil- 

 lion; 



• Third, to invest in global change research and high performance computing and 

 communications — investment increases totalling $25.6 million; 



• Fourth, to implement administrative savings and reductions — decreases total- 

 ling $92.5 million. 



NOAA's priorities are critical activities that serve the Nation and support the Ad- 

 ministration's goals. As articulated in Vision of Change for America, "The Adminis- 

 tration's initiatives offer certain proof that environmental protection and economic 

 growth can — and must — go hand in hand." 



NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MODERNIZATION AND SYSTEMS FUNDING 



Completion of the weather service modernization (satellites, observing and proc- 

 essing systems, workforce transition, and construction of Weather Forecast Offices) 

 is a high priority of the Administration. Modernization has already provided a sub- 

 stantial measure of additional safety to our Nation's citizens, in terms of lives saved 

 and damages averted. Its success is demonstrated in the dramatic increase in warn- 

 ing time as well as a significant reduction in false alarms for severe weather when 

 the modernized, as opposed to traditional, equipment is used. More accurate and re- 

 liable weather warnings save lives. NOAA's weather research also has led to signifi- 

 cant improvements in our ability to forecast the track of hurricanes. Accurate pre- 

 dictions allowed the Nation to prepare for Hurricanes Andrew, Hugo, and Iniki, re- 

 ducing the potential loss of human life. Recently, NOAA predicted the timing and 

 severity of the East Coast "Storm of the Century^ days in advance. 



