LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: 



The past decade has been a productive period in our Nation's effort 

 to better understand and utilize our marine resources. The early 

 1960's saw the establishment of a firm foundation for our Nation's 

 oceanographic research programs. Building on this research base in 

 the late 60's and early 70's, we began formulating policies and 

 carrying out plans to derive practical benefits from our ocean 

 activities. New marine-related institutions were developed, the 

 importance of marine sciences to the activities of existing 

 institutions was recognized, and their efforts were expanded. While 

 recognizing the ongoing importance of basic research, I believe that 

 this emphasis on practical benefits must also be carried forward in 

 the years ahead. 



Ocean Industries 



We have been particularly concerned of late with the challenge of 

 relieving our dependence on marine imports and at the same time, 

 providing new products and services for export. Our fishing 

 industry has been a special focus of concern. At present, we import 

 approximately 70 percent of our fish products, in spite of the fact 

 that some of the world's most fertile fisheries lie directly off our 

 coasts. These imports contribute a billion dollars to ourforeign trade 

 deficit. To help protect our domestic fishing industry, I have 

 recommended legislation which would permit U.S. regulation of 

 foreign fishing off our coasts to the fullest extent authorized by 

 international agreements and would permit Federal regulation of 

 domestic fisheries in the U.S. fisheries zone and in the high seas 

 beyond that zone. 



Of the non-living or mineral resources of the seabed, petroleum 

 from our continental shelves will be the most important to the Nation 

 for some years to come. I have directed the Secretary of the Interior to 

 continue to accelerate the leasing of Outer Continental Shelf lands 

 for oil and gas production, to a level triple the present annual acreage 

 rate by 1979, as long as such development can proceed with adequate^ 

 protection of the environment and under conditions consistent with 

 my Oceans Policy statement of May 1970. 



