59 



Plans are underway for constmctkm of a manned system capable of operating to 1 1 ,000 

 meters depth. Japan thus will have unique access to an area in the deep sea about the size 

 of the United States. The deep trenches haifcor a high-i»essure environment unlike 

 anywhere else on this planet — or any other known place. Geologists are as eager to 

 understand grand earth processes that occur in the subduction areas at the bottom of these 

 deep trenches as arc Ae biologists who want to know what lives there, and how. 

 With luck, Japan will be generous and altow U.S. participation in JAMSTECs bold 

 and commendable ventures. 



Meanwhile, the U. S. counterpart agency, to JAMSTEC - NURP -faces an uncertain 

 future, as does the overall role of tl^ U. S. with respect to undersea research and 

 exploration. While the future of Rtissia's advanced systems. Mir I and Mir II. and the 

 programs that support them, also face uncertainties, other countries, in addition to Japan, 

 are moving strongly forward. The first distinctively new design in more than a decade for 

 a deep manned research submersible was built by a U.S. compaay in 1984 ~ with funds 

 from the Canadian government for a Canadian company. The latest new design is also 

 being produced and two advanced submersibles are being built by the same U. S. 

 company, Deep Ocean Engineering — with funding from a communica£i(His firm in 

 France. In a way, this is not surprising, since France has an on-going tradition of national 

 support for underwater research and explotation. and for the underlying technology 

 requited 



Recently, our "tradition'' in these matters has beoi one of tragic indifferenceL There is 

 little doubt that Ac oceans are in trouble in ways that are ecoaomiolly and 

 environmentally damaging. Concerns range from the decline and destruction of once 

 thriving fisheries to the decline and destruction of entire ecosystems such as coral reefs 

 and productive sea grass tneadows in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. What are the 

 consequences of deep sea dumping? How do ocean ecosystems respond to oil spills, 

 trash and toxic chemicals? What can be done to restore damaged areas underwater? 

 How can places in good condition, inclodiiig the 124XX) square miles in U. S. waters 

 designated as National Marine Sanctuaries be evaluated — and protected? By what means 

 can the nation's ocean assets be assessed? 



Knowledge gained through NURP can help, but to do so effectively, NURP nMib help. 

 I am among a growing constituency, including a great many creatures in the sea who 

 cannot speak for thenudves, who siooeteiy hope you will do so. 



