2 OCEAN SCIENCES AND NAT'IONAL SECURITY 



geographical dispersion of the medium under study they appear 

 thinly spread. Without exception, these studies have called attention 

 to the serious problems in developing an adequate supply of traiined 

 manpower. 



All of the proposals anticipate sharply increased fiscal requirements 

 from Federal sources, as well as increased responsibilities of executive 

 agencies for a national program of research, both military and non- 

 military. Because these proposals are so far reaching, and especially 

 where questions are raised of means for interagency coordination, 

 committees of the Congress having jurisdiction have undertaken to 

 examine the problem independently. A number of hearings have 

 been conducted to develop background information; a number of bills 

 are yet pending, "^rhe major issues before the Congress mainly con- 

 cern Federal organization and appropriations to support the proposed 

 effort. 



Apparently there is agreement by members of the scientific com- 

 mvmity, by officers in executive agencies having jurisdiction, and by 

 various leaders in the Congress that the present program must be ex- 

 panded. This particular report summarizes the arguments given in 

 support of this view and of the present sense of urgency in terms of — 



(a) The Soviet submarine threat from the sea. 



(6) The need to survey, study and develop biological and mineral 

 resources in the sea which, before long, may be required to supplement 

 rapidly depleted continental resources; this includes both fish that 

 could be a significant source of protein for human consumption, and 

 minerals. 



(c) The significance of research to develop new knowledge about the 

 sea, particularly in light of contemporary events which make scientific 

 achievement an element of public affairs; considering the present lack 

 of knowledge, the statistical possibility exists of breakthroughs in 

 terms of basic information as well as potential applications. 



(d) The desire for basic scientific information sucli that man may 

 gain clues concerning the origin of the Earth necessary for an under- 

 standing of other planets which he plans to explore and of the evolution 

 of life itself. A better understanding may be developed of the rela- 

 tionships of the ocean to climate as a basis for long-range forecasting 

 of climate and even its eventual control. 



(e) The need to develop information to assure safety of disposal of 

 radioactive waste which man has chosen not to accumulate on land. 



The report further inventories the existing capabilities in oceano- 

 graphic research, in terms of universities and other laboratories under- 

 taking oceanic research, manpower, the size and sources of funds 

 especially from Federal agencies, including the manner in which Fed- 

 eral programs from some 19 different agencies are integrated; and, 

 finally, the manner in which the United States participates in inter- 

 national programs. Comparisons drawn with Soviet oceanography 

 show a trend of emerging vSoviet superiority in both size and content 

 of program. 



The three different lO-yeai- plans are abstracted, compared and 

 analyzed, and attention drawn to im])lications in which the Congress 

 may have a particular interest. Finally, pending legislation is sum- 

 marized as are those issues before the (-ongress. 



It is increasingly clear that tlie Federal Government will play a 

 dominant, role in l>()th the lendcrship and funding of any national 



