202 EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 



oceanographers has been analyzed as has the prospective supply as indicated by 

 those now in training. 



The Panel has reviewed the manpower situation as a prerequisite to the develop- 

 ment of programs which are designed to resolve those manpower problems which 

 impede the progress of the national program. It is expected that some programs 

 (over and above those already in being) will then be proposed for the consideration 

 of the ICO and the Federal Council on Science and Technology. Upon acceptance 

 by these bodies, approved programs will become a part of the national ocean- 

 ographic program, and will attain the same recognition by the executive depart- 

 ment agencies as the other segments of that program. 



Stated briefly, the objectives of the Manpower and Training Panel are to 

 identify those problem areas in manpower which are likely to impede the national 

 oceanographic program and to propose programs to the ICO for the solution of 

 such problems. 



MEMBERSHIP OF THE PANEL 



Present membership of the panel includes A. R. Gordon from the Navy Hydro- 

 graphic Office; James W. McGary from the Office of Naval Research; Robert C. 

 Czapiewski and T. B. Ryan from the Coast and Geodetic Survey; J. Lockwood 

 Chamberlin and Ralph B. Silliman from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries; 

 George W. Courtney, Jr., and Irvin E. Wallen from the Atomic Energy Com- 

 mission; Henry H. Armsby from the Office of Education; and Bowen C. Dees 

 and Keith Kelson from the National Science Foundation. Gordon A. Riley and 

 Richard C. Vetter are members representing NASCO in order to guarantee ade- 

 quate liaison with that body. In addition, others are invited to participate in 

 the work of the panel on topics of particular concern to their respective agencies. 



ACTIVITIES OF THE PANEL 



In its review of the manpower situation, the panel determined that about 2,600 

 professional scientists and engineers were employed in oceanography in early 1962. 

 Included under this definition are all those with bachelor degree level or equiva- 

 lent training, regardless of the field of academic degree. This number includes 

 about 1,400 attached to universities, private laboratories, and State laboratories, 

 in addition to about 1,200 in Government agencies. 



Although the panel has not had sufficient time to analyze the demand-supply 

 situation in all areas of oceanography, it appears to the panel that there is a con- 

 siderable range in the degree of manpower shortage situations in different special- 

 izations. The panel has attempted to locate critical shortage areas and has iden- 

 tified two which should be considered as examples rather than an exhaustive 

 listing. 



Manpower-shortage situations of a serious character have been identified in 

 physical oceanography and in taxonomy. In the former field, a substantial num- 

 ber of unfilled positions have been found in Government agencies and a smaller 

 number in the universities. Furthermore, large numbers of positions in physical 

 oceanography have in the past been filled by persons whose academic training has 

 not been as directly related to their employment field as would be desirable. The 

 relatively small numbers of scientists with university degrees in oceanography, in 

 which physical oceanography is usually emphasized, have been insufficient to 

 staff the increasing requirements for their services. 



A quite different situation obtains in taxonomy, another identified shortage 

 area. The number of positions available to taxonomists who have special com- 

 petence in marine biology has not been large, and the past lack of effective demand 

 has not encouraged training of additional workers in this area. A situation results 

 in which the ability of the universities to train for this field has been impaired. In 

 the face of substantial expansion in ocean surveys programs, there is the imminent 

 danger that necessary taxonomic work on new collections arising from the surveys 

 program will be long delayed. An inventory of taxonomic specialists in marine 

 organisms at U.S. museums and herbaria shows no specialists available for some 

 important groups and extremely thin coverage for others. 



The panel has also estimated professional manpower requirements implicit in 

 the proposed national oceanographic program. On the basis of preliminary 

 estimates of oceanography program expenditures planned by the Federal agencies 

 over the next 8 years, it appears likely that requirements will be for two or three 

 times as many professional scientists and engineers in 1970 as at present. In 

 addition there will be a not insignificant number required for replacements on 

 account of retirement, transfer to other fields, etc. Altogether, approximately 

 700 new professional recruits into oceanography will be needed each year (on the 



