87 



RESPONSE . , ^, . 



Not much. Some research, such as tiiat conducted from the submersible ALVIN, is 

 suppOTted by funds that are derived from NURP, NSF, and the Navy operating 

 cooperatively. Some projects presently funded by NURP may have complementary 

 support from other sources. However, NURP maintains special research facilities that 

 do not overlap or duplicate activities frmded by other agencies such as the submersible 

 program in Hawaii and — in thewy - the Aquarius underwater laboratory that is under 

 the aegis of the NURP center at die University of North Carolina. 



QUESTION 8. How would you compare tiie value of undersea ocean research to satellite 

 and surface ocean research? 



RESPONSE 



All are valuable, but thee is presaitly far greats- appreciation for research conducted 

 from the surfEice, either from high above or at sea level, than there is for research 

 conducted IN the oceaiL In a small way, it is comparable to gainin g insight ctmcCTning a 

 forest or city from aerial ovoviews complemented by knowledge gained by lowering 

 instruments from the treetops or the roofs of the skyscrapers, without voituring directly 

 into the forest or city . It is well to keep in mind that the average dqrth of the sea is about 

 4,000 meters, and the maximum 1 1,000 meters. 



The value of satellite and surface ocean research can be greatly enhanced whoi 

 complemented by knowledge gained from conducting research within the ocean itself, 

 especially concening detailed insight about the physical, chemical and biological nature 

 of the sea. Satellites provide valus^le data concCTning areas where photosynthesis 

 appears to be taking place, but is not helpful in determining what kinds of wganisms are 

 involved, nor how deep such activity may be occurring. Some complementary 

 information can be gainnl from instruments operated from surface ships, but thoe are 

 limits to what can be done. 



It is extremely difficult to study animal behavior from a satellite or surface ship or even 

 to discover from such distant platforms what kinds of creatures live in the ocean. Nets 

 dragged from ships yield some insight concerning the presence of cetain kinds of 

 organisms, but information thus gained can be enormously distorted and mi slea ding . 



QUESTION 9. Is there a need for additional submersible platforms for research? If so, 

 how great is the need, where are the critical areas of need, and how should they be 

 addressed? Is NURP the correct venue for funding there platforms? Would the NOAA 

 fleet or other funding sources be more £q>propriate? 



RESPONSE 



There is an urgent need for better support for existing platforms, such as the ALVIN, 



and for the construction and support for additional facilities, both for access to nearshore 



