168 OCEANOGRAPHY 



The only work I know of specifically along tliat line in connection 

 wdth developing the salmon in hatcheries, et cetera, was a serious 

 situation Avith respect to their contracting TB and this developed, 

 in part, through feeding, and it became a very serious disease until 

 the cause was found and corrective measures were taken. The salmon 

 are quite subject to TB. 



This is present in the natural population, but the ones that are bred 

 and developed naturally seem to have quite a bit more resistance to 

 the disease than those reared in the fish hatcheries. 



Mr. Pelly. Doctor, I noticed, in going through the book which 

 you edited of the symposia held at Friday Harbor Laboratories on 

 Marine Borers, that tlie estimated commerical loss each year is about 

 half a billion dollars through the activity of these organisms; and 

 again, I think it points up to the business and the taxpayer the poten- 

 tial savino-s that can be made through basic research. 

 Dr. Ray. That is right. 



Mr. Pelly. I want to again mention this book, "Marine Boring 

 and Fouling Organisms," which you edited. It is a very technical 

 book and has illustrations which certainly would be more intellectu- 

 ally absorbed by one of your colleagues in the field, but I can see 

 obviously that it is a considerable contribution to the science. 



I again say when I come out there — I think maybe you can explain 

 to me a little more easily in layman's language than I could learn by 

 trying to absorb all that is in this book. 



Dr. Ray. I would be very happy to have the opportunity. 

 Mr. Pelly. I hope the opportunity will come. 



Dr. Ray. I hope so, too. I Avould like to add anyone who works in 

 a field like that cannot help but l^ecome impressed by the fact that 

 you cannot draw a sharp line between what is basic research and what 

 is applied and whether one is looking for the answeP to a problem 

 that is nn important economic one or whether one is looking for addi- 

 tional ways to exploit food resources, or whatever, the approach 

 through basic researcli is in the long run the only one that will pro- 

 vide the kind of fundamental information on which the intelligent 

 decisions for control or for exploitation must depend and it is very 

 difficult to undertake a piece of work and say this is useless, or this 

 is for the particular purpose of solving this particular problem. 



The flexibility and freedom to attack a problem and to be able to 

 follow along any line which seems to be promising I think is one of 

 the most important things that must be continued and maintained and 

 guarded in teiTns of support of science. 



Mr. Pelly. Some of us have been a little disturbed at the lack 

 of research funds in the fisheries field, particularly, as the great new 

 State of Alaska is dependent on this for its principal industry, which 

 is salmon. 



There is about $80 million a year of income dependent on that re- 

 search. Private industry has been doing it before, but I believe now 

 they are just finding themselves in the position of not being able to 

 carry on some of their work. "We did succeed this year in_ getting 

 all that we would have liked in the way of research, but it is easier 

 to talk than to get down to the basic research. You cannot appeal 

 to the taxpayer. 



Dr. Ray. that is true. 



