OCEANOGRAPHY 125 



the orientation of the program probably tends to overlook the im- 

 portance of inshore and estuarian areas which are so important to 

 the tremendous number of people interested in sport fishing. We 

 think the importance of sport fishing should be recognized at the 

 time the program is adopted. 



As to the balance between sciences, we think biology has been 

 slighted. For the record, I submit two resolutions which deal with 

 this subject, one from the American Fisheries Society, which ex- 

 presses its concern that the vitally important biological aspects of 

 the progi-am te given more adequate recognition. 



In another instance the Department of tlie Interior's Advisory 

 Conunittee on Fii^h and Wildlife made the following recommendation 

 to the Se<?retary of the Interior last fall : 



The 10-yeai- oceanographie research program of the National Academy of 

 Sciences is a vitally important undertaking which the Committee supix>rts. 

 The Committee is liopeful tliat greater emphasis will be given to the basic 

 biological aspects, especially of the tishes. A preponderance of effort is now 

 proposed on physical oceanography. We believe that added emphasis on biolog- 

 ical research would strengthen the program and greatly increase its overall value. 



I think this particular recommendation has had a very healthy effect 

 upon the Department of the Interior, as Mr. ]McKeriian mentioned tliis 

 morning. 



As to the balance between inshore and estuarian researcli and deej) 

 sea research, I think tliose of tis wlio are concerned with what Inippeiis 

 near the coasts have had our concern intensified by the obvious ptiblic- 

 ity and interest given to the deep sea phases of this program. 



The importance of salt water commercial fishing is absolutely lui- 

 questionecl. The importance of salt water sport lishing is something 

 that just recently has come to the attention of Congress. Last year, 

 as you recall, this committee held hearings and eventtially passed a 

 bill which resulted in Ptiblic Law 86-359 which directed the Secre- 

 tary of the Interior to initiate a salt water sport fishing program for 

 the first time. Tlie hearings held by your connnittee on Mr. Lennon's 

 bill clearly showed salt water sport fishing is an important and grow- 

 ing segment of the Xation's business and recreation. The number of 

 salt water anglers is increasing rapidly, far faster than the total 

 increase of the population as a whole. 



The number of people concerned with salt Avnter sport fishing is a 

 major part of the population of our coastal States. As you know, 

 this is an area which has not received much attention from the State 

 fish and game agencies. Salt water sport fisliing has certainly been 

 neglected in the development of the Fish and Wildlife Service 

 program. 



We trust that our comments have been constructive. As I say, we 

 are not arguing with the overall structure of the program but we are 

 concerned with the details of specific proposals. 



There are some portions of the bills I would like to comment on 

 specifically. For example, we favor the immediate strengthening of 

 the marine biological research program of the Natioiml Science 

 Fottndation. We think this is a very logical first step and perhaps 

 the best way to take advantage of the large pool available biological 

 talent in the academic institutions. 



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