1380 (XI.V). Resources of the sea 



The Economic and Social Council. 



Having considered the report on " Resources of the sea 

 beyond the continental shelf "^^ prepared by the Secretary- 

 General und&r Council resolution 1112 (XL) of 7 March 

 1966, 



Realizing fully the importance of the development of 

 the mineral and biological resources of the high seas 

 beyond the contmental shelf for the benefit of all mankind 

 and especially of the developing countries. 



Being awavc of the growing interest of the world com- 

 munity in the problems related to the oceans and their 

 resources as recently illustrated by the adoption of General 

 Assemblv resolutions 2172 (XXI) of 6 December 1966 

 and 2340 (XXri) of 18 December 1967; 



Recognizing that further progress in the development 

 and utilization of the marine resources will depend greatly 

 on more specific knowledge being gained on the vaiious 

 characteristics of marine environmental conditions. 



Taking into account the view expressed by the Advisory 

 Committee on the Application of Science and Technology 

 to Development," 



1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the 

 Secretary-General, which gives a preliminary picture of 

 the present available knowledge of marine resources 

 beyond the contmental shelf, of the techniques used for 

 their development and of related problems; 



2. Recommends that the report be supplemented by 

 information from other Members of the United Nations 

 and members of the specialized agencies which have a 

 valuable experience in this field, and that thereafter the 

 desirability should be envisaged of issuing it as a United 

 Nations publication; 



3. Invites the Secretary-General, m co-operation with 

 the various organizations of the United Nations family 

 concerned and in particular with the United Nations 

 Educational, Scicniilic and Cultural Organization and its 

 Inlcrgovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the I'ootl 

 and Agriculture Organization of Ihc United Nations and 

 its Committee on I ishcries. and the World Meteorological 

 Organization and its Panel on Meteorological Aspects of 

 Ocean Affairs, to continue to promote further systematic 

 in\estigation aiming at improving the present knowledge 

 of marine environmental conditions; 



4. Requests the Secretary-General to follow closely 

 new developments which may occur in fields of marine 

 mineral resources exploration, evaluation and exploitation 

 beyond the continental shelf and the possible implica- 

 tions thereof, and to report when appropriate to the 

 Council; 



5. Invites the Food and Agriculture Organization of 

 the United Nations to keep under review developments 

 which may occur in the field of food resources of the sea 

 beyond the continental shelf. 



1561st plenary meeting, 

 2 August 1968. 



Annex I 



>' E/4449and Add. I and 2. 

 '» E/4492. 



