42 ADVANCEMENT OF MARINE SCIENCES 



LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND OF S. 901 



The report of the Committee on Oceanography, titled "Ten Years 

 of Oceanography" and the TENOC report came to the immediate 

 attention of the Senate Committee on Commerce. 



On June 22, 1959, the cliairman and all members of j'Our committee 

 joined in introducing Senate Resolution 136 commending the report 

 of the Committee on Oceanography and concmTing in its recommenda- 

 tions that — 



(a) Basic oceanographic research be immediately expanded. 

 (6) In the field of applied research fisheries exploration be 

 intensified, migratory patterns investigated, greater attention 

 given to genetics of fish and other marine organisms, biological 

 surveys augmented utilizing new devices, a program on diseases 

 and other toxic effects in the marine environment established, 

 comprehensive studies made of the economic and legal aspects 

 of commercial fisheries, especially in relation to other industries, 

 and research stimulated on the nature of organisms in the sea 

 on whicli marine life of commercial or sports value feed. 



(c) Training of more oceanographic scientists in private educa- 

 tional and research institutions be encouraged and facilitated 

 by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Education 

 with the object of increasing the number of oceanographers at 

 the doctor of philosophy level dm*ing the next 10 years. 



(d) Systematic oceanwide and ocean-deep surveys be conducted 

 by the Coast and Geodetic Survey and Hydrographic Office, 

 Department of the Navy, to develop much broader knowledge 

 of depths, salinity, temperature, current velocity, wave motion, 

 magnetism, and biological activity. 



(e) Research fleets of the various agencies and institutions en- 

 gaged in basic or applied oceanographic research, of which most 

 of the vessels are old and obsolete, be replaced by modern ships 

 adapted to oceanwide scientific studies and furnished with ad- 

 vanced scientific equipment, and that the number of ships be 

 increased substantially. 



(/) Shore facilities commensurate with an expanded program 

 of basic research be constructed in order to derive maximum 

 knowledge from observations and collections made at sea. 



(g) Development and utilization of deep-diving manned sub- 

 mersibles be expedited to facilitate maxmium accomplishments 

 in both basic and applied oceanographic research at all depths. 



(h) Mineral research be undertaken on the ocean floor with a 

 view to present or ultimate utilization of the untapped resources 

 that lie beneath the ocean. 



(i) Extensive scientific investigations be made on the effects of 

 radioactivity in the oceans mcluding the genetic effects of radia- 

 tion upon marine organisms, the inorganic transfer of radioactive 

 elements from sea water to the sediments, and the circulation and 

 mixing processes which control the dispersion of introduced 

 contaminants in coastal and estuarine environments and in the 

 open ocean. 



(j) Agency cooperation be developed. 



(k) Cooperation between the United States and other nations 

 in oceanographic research and exchange of data be considered on 



