VIII. Future Programs 



Since 1957, three significant studies have been undertaken to lay the 

 groundwork for a sj^stematic and coordinated long-range program in 

 oceanography. 



The three studies embrace {a) a comprehensive analysis by a newly 

 formed third Committee on Oceanography in the National Academy 

 of Sciences, National Research Council (NASCO), undertaken at the 

 request of several Government agencies; (b) a parallel study by the 

 Office of Naval Research but only concerned with the Navy's contract 

 program in Oceanography (TENOC); and (c) studies of the previous 

 two programs by interdepartmental bodies, in particular, the Inter- 

 agency Committee on Oceanography (ICO). Additional studies, yet 

 unreported, are being made by ONR to supplement item (6) with in- 

 formation regarding the Navy's own inhouse program of oceano- 

 graphic research which has not been included in the original TENOC 

 program. 



All three studies have developed subsidiary benefits. For the first 

 time a national inventory of manpower, ships, and of funding became 

 available, and much use has been made of these facts in foregoing 

 sections. Second, as with other activities, the mere process of study 

 has subtle but nevertheless telling effects on the subject being studied. 

 There is some likelihood that the mere act of appraisal has produced 

 significant feedback so as to elicit stocktaking by those undertaking 

 management of oceanographic programs, those sponsoring programs, 

 and those having statutory responsibilities. Third and most im- 

 portant, these studies provide valuable guidance for a coordinated 

 long-range program in oceanic research. Details remain to be worked 

 out by the operating agencies, but a frame of reference now exists 

 against which program content and rate of progress can be tested. 



A. PROPOSALS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, COMMITTEE 

 ON OCEANOGRAPHY (NASCO) 



In 1957, a number of Federal agencies having responsibilities in 

 Oceanography, and aware of the growing need for a coordinated 

 national program, requested the National Academy of Sciences — 

 National Research Council (NAS-NRC) to form a new Committee 

 on Oceanography to advise the Government on the needs for research, 

 on the present status of activity within the United States, and to pro- 

 pose a program that would serve as a basis for orderly planning in 

 the future. 



In fulfilling its traditional role as a consultant to the Government in 

 affairs of science and technology, the National AcadcMny of Sciences — 

 National Research Council had twice before formed similar committees 

 concerned with Oceanography — the fh'st was established in 1927 under 

 the chairmanship of Dr. Frank R. Lillie, and the second, in 1949, 

 under Dr. Detlev W. Bronk. These earlier studies had various de- 

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