Federal agencies in national programs such as the Marine Ecosystems Analysis 

 study of the New York Bight, and with other nations in international pro- 

 grams, such as the International Field Year for the Great Lakes and the 

 International Decade of Ocean Exploration. In these, we are moving out to 

 the ocean "laboratories" with arrays of ships, specially designed buoys, air- 

 craft, earth-orbiting satellites, and submersibles to apply collective efforts to 

 solve special problems and to advance knowledge and understanding. 



I am pleased to report, also, the continued strengthening of Federal ties, 

 both in scope and level of activity, with industry, state and local governments, 

 and universities. I consider this a most essential aspect underlying our marine 

 programs. As I have stated in the past, private industry, state and local gov- 

 ernments, scientific and other institutions must increase their own eflForts 

 if we are to continue our headway toward solving the myriad of marine 

 problems. 



My budget request for the Fiscal Year 1973 provides $672 million in sup- 

 port of our programs in marine science, engineering, and services, an in- 

 crease of more than $60 million over last year's request. This budget will 

 enable us to continue our advances in all areas of importance to our vital 

 and increasing national interests in the seas. 



rv 



