ADVANCEMENT OF MARINE SCIENCES 39 



Since then, according to the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, they 

 have destroyed the lake trout in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and 

 reduced the catch in Lake Superior to 20 percent of that before the 

 arrival of the lampreys. 



The L'^nited States and Canada are conducting a joint effort to 

 eradicate the lampreys, which in addition to destroying the lake trout 

 have notably reduced the population of whitefish. 



The two nations have jointly budgeted $1,300,000 for the campaign 

 against lamprey's in the present year, costs being divided in proportion 

 to the value of each nation's catch in the Great Lakes. This year the 

 United States will pay 69 percent, Canada 3L 



Officials of the Bureau justify this expenditure as necessary to 

 counteract the serious losses the lake fisheries industry has experienced 

 in recent years, largely attributable, in their opinion to the lamprey 

 infestation. 



Great Lakes fishermen in 1945 produced a catch valued at $13,800,000. 

 In 1948 value dropped to $12,500,000; in 1950 to $10,700,000; in 1955 

 to $9,600,000. In 1958 the value had shrunk to $8,500,000 and in 1959, 

 the last year of record, the value was $7,100,000. 



In many countries lakes far smaller than the Great Lakes are an 

 important source of food supply. 



The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has problems also in the Great 

 Lakes other than the destructive lampreys. Pollution in Lake Erie 

 is causing concern and may contribute to the grave oxygen deficiency 

 in'its deeper waters, which again depletes the fisheries. 



In a letter to the Commerce Committee received as this report was 

 being prepared, Mr. Howard Fast, executive director of the Great 

 Lakes Conmaission, representing seven States, advised • 



Canada has recently instituted an oceanographic program 

 on the Great Lakes. 



Mr. Fast also enclosed a report of the American Society- of Limnology 

 and Oceanography which in part stated : 



Adequate ships are badly needed for research which should 

 be done in the Great Lakes. Until they are available the 

 opportunities for providing students with practical experi- 

 ence in the techniques of oceanographic mvestigation in this 

 area will be hmited. 



S. 901 would authorize funds for improved facilities and expanded 

 research in the Great Lakes area, not onh' with the objective of 

 conservmg and developing Great Lakes resources, but also to aid 

 commerce and navigation, preserve health and welfare, and increase 

 scientific knowledge of the world's largest fresh water laboratory. 



GENESIS OF THE PROGRAM 



In 1956, marine scientists employed in Government agencies, dis- 

 turbed by the absence of coordination of theu" many and varied 

 programs, and disturbed by the scant interest in, and funds for, 

 oceanographic research, began holding informal monthly meetings. 



Soon they became kno^\^l as the Coordinating Connnittee on Ocea- 

 nogi-aphy, although among themselves it is frequently referred to as 

 the "working committee," the members being civilian working 

 scientists. 



