ing radioactivity in the world oceans. The resulting publication, Radio- 

 activity in the Marine Environment, shows that many of the concepts that 

 pertain to our understanding of the behavior of radioactivity in the oceans 

 can be applied to studies of other wastes discharged to the marine environ- 

 ment. For example, the oceanic distributions of radioactivity have served as 

 tracers of water masses, sediment movement, and various biological param- 

 eters. The studies of the accumulations and redistributions of radioactivity 

 by marine organisms have served to highlight food web relations that can be 

 valuable in predicting the behavior of the stable element counterparts of the 

 radionuclides studied. 



A voluntary inspection and grading program funded by industry is also 

 carried out to assure that fish processing plants meet established sanitary 

 and safety requirements. In 1971, NOAA inspectors checked and certified 

 350 million pounds of fish and fishery products, representing about 27 per- 

 cent of total 1971 fishery production in the United States. 



Public service activities will continue to provide consumers (and indus- 

 try) with basic information concerning the composition, nutrition, and safety 

 of fishery products. Enactment of the Wholesome Fish and Fisheries Products 

 bill now being considered by the Congress would strengthen Federal services 

 to protect the health and welfare of the consumer. 



Endangered Species 



The plight of many species of marine wildlife, driven toward extinction 

 by excessive harvesting, destruction of native habitats and food supplies, and 

 environmental pollution, has become a subject of intense concern here and 

 abroad. 



Eight different species of whales have been placed on the endangered species list, 

 including the sperm whale shown here surfacing off the coast of Southern California. 



37 



