Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 

 which had produced a valuable series of ocean engineering course books 

 under Sea Grant projects, developed a full-scale program during 1971, and 

 rapid expansion of Sea Grant programs took place at the Universities of 

 Hawaii, Michigan, Washington, and Wisconsin. Two universities, Dela- 

 ware and Louisiana State, which began Sea Grant activities as multi- 

 disciplinary coherent projects, reached a stage of development justifying 

 their proposals for full institutional status in 1972. By mid- 1971, institutions 

 in 27 States, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands were participat- 

 ing in the Sea Grant program through project grants. 



Sea Grant goals in 1971 continued to involve scientists and engineers in 

 the practical problems of the marine environment and to accelerate the flow 

 and application of results from research started in previous years. In 1971, 

 there was a particularly hard look at educational programs, evaluating those 

 under Sea Grant funding in terms of probable trends in the manpower 

 market. 



In spite of cutbacks in marine and marine-related industries, Sea Grant 

 technician-training programs continued to maintain their high record of 

 graduate placement with 100-percent employment reported in several 

 instances. The lowest placement record was 85 percent for the marine indus- 

 try; but even here, the remaining 15 percent found jobs in which their newly 

 acquired skills were useful. Sea Grant began gradually to modify its training 

 programs, responding to the demand for fisheries technician training and for 

 a limited number of activities in marine engine and diesel mechanics, while 

 reducing the number of oceanographic aide projects. 



In all, 89 Sea Grants were underway in 1971. These grams encompassed 

 361 separate research projects, 11 education and training projects, and 96 

 advisory service activities, with 2,656 persons participating. 



Development by Oregon State University of a hydraulic system powered 

 by a fishing vessel's outboard motor has made it possible for the dory fisher- 

 man to increase his income substantially. This significant 1971 development 

 is now being exported to the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. 

 Arrangements have been made to provide technical assistance through 

 Oregon State University for boatbuilding facilities constructed in American 

 Samoa under Office of Economic Opportunity funding. 



Successful out-of-season spawning of mullet was achieved by a Sea Grant 

 project at Hawaii's Oceanic Institute. Instead of waiting for the mullet to 

 spawn naturally, as in the past, it is now possible to bring about spawning 

 on demand and over shorter intervals — a requirement for success in any 

 farmed species. This capability opens the door to selective breeding experi- 

 ments which, in turn, can lead to greater productivity and a more desirable 

 product in terms of size, taste, and disease resistance. Of great importance is 

 the potential transferability of the technique to higher value species. 



Culmination of mariculture experiments by excellent harvests in Angleton 

 and Orange County, Tex., brought commercial shrimp farming a step closer 

 to reality during 1971. These experiments at Texas A&M University make 

 use of the high productivity of marshlands with minimal disturbance to their 

 natural state. Ponds were created to serve as habitats for the shrimp, which 

 received some supplemental food but were essentially left to live off the natu- 



78 



