agency Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environ- 

 ment, or GLOBE program. GLOBE will enhance global environ- 

 mental awareness and increase scientific understanding of the 

 Earth by working with the worldwide network of schools to collect 

 environmental observations. 



This program focuses on the environmental education of our 

 human resources, and our budget contains about a $7 million in- 

 crease for this exciting program. 



In terms of environmental technology, we have four distinct pilot 

 programs that will focus our unique contributions to environmental 

 technology efforts: marine biotechnology through the National Sea 

 Grant College Program, weather, hydrologic, and marine observa- 

 tions and information systems; environmental hazards mitigation; 

 and a worldwide environmental information network. 



This committee has expressed interest in discussing proposals to 

 strengthen marine aquaculture efforts of NOAA and the National 

 Sea Grant College Program. In 1995, we request an increase of 

 $1.1 million to begin the process of accelerating the growth of U.S. 

 marine aquaculture. 



Globally, aquaculture accounts for about 15 percent of fisheries 

 production and about one-third of gross revenues, yet marine aqua- 

 culture and stock enhancement are almost insignificant in the 

 United States. Assessments of the potential production from wild 

 stocks and the demand for seafood clearly indicate an increasing 

 dependance on aquaculture and stock enhancement in the future. 



In addition, the National Sea Grant College Program sponsors 

 research focused on exploring technological advances to cost-effec- 

 tive aquaculture in closed systems, developing computer monitoring 

 in control systems, developing hatchery technology, and defining 

 physiological, endocrinological, and nutritional controls on develop- 

 ment, growth, and reproduction of aquacultural species. The Unit- 

 ed States is behind the rest of the world in the production of sea- 

 food by marine aquaculture. 



You mentioned fleet replacement and modernization, an impor- 

 tant topic for us. The majority of ships in our NOAA fleet are rap- 

 idly approaching the maximum age for cost-effective and productive 

 operations. With the help of funds appropriated by Congress, 

 NOAA has made substantial progress in modernizing its fleet of 

 ships. The highest priority fleet problems have been targeted and 

 actions are underway to solve these problems. Contracts have been 

 awarded or are soon to be awarded for major repairs to existing 

 ships, construction of one new oceanographic ship, and conversion 

 of one of the Navy's T-AGOS ships. 



The Marine Board of the National Academy of Sciences has just 

 completed a review of the FRAM plan, which you mentioned. In re- 

 sponse to the Marine Board review, we have established a review 

 team consisting of the Deputy Assistant Administrators for the Na- 

 tional Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean Service, and 

 the Office of Atmospheric and Oceanic Research. 



The team will assess the FRAM program in light of the Marine 

 Board's recommendations, and propose appropriate revisions to the 

 FRAM plan. 



The House NOAA Authorization Act, H.R. 4008, proposes an 

 evaluation of the role of the NOAA Corps within NOAA. We agree 



