International Marine Affairs 



The oceans, because of their inherently international character, 

 their ready accessibility to many states, and their valuable 

 resources, have long been major areas for conflict, both military and 

 commercial. Advances in ocean science and technology have 

 contributed to a growth of the potential for conflict, but these 

 advances are also contributing opportunities for increased 

 international cooperation, in such fields as research, environmental 

 monitoring, reduction of pollution, development of energy and 

 mineral resources, conservation and management of fisheries, and 

 the promotion of safety and efficiency in maritime transportation. 



The past year has been one of increasingly significant activity in 

 international marine affairs, both within the United Nations and 

 independently of it. The concerns of most widespread interest 

 throughout the world are primarily the economic aspects of resource 

 management and pollution abatement. Some encouraging steps have 

 been taken to improve cooperation in solving questions of fisheries 

 conservation and pollution control, although economic nationalism 

 appears to be playing an increasing role in the politics of the oceans. 

 The widespread conflicts generated over boundaries and regimes for 

 control of fishing and mineral resources development impinge upon 

 the interests of the developed maritime nations with respect to 

 transport and trade, military security, and scientific research. 

 Progress, under the auspices of the various international fisheries 

 commissions, at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environ- 

 ment and related meetings, and in bilateral cooperative research 

 programs, is a feature of this year's report on the Federal Ocean 

 Program. There still remain many important problems, however, in 

 the UN Seabeds Committee and elsewhere. Preparations for the UN 

 Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1973 and 1974 will continue to be 

 a major activity in marine affairs. 



Energy 



A plentiful and assured supply of energy to support our economy 

 is essential to the preservation of both national security and the 

 quality of life. In the long term we anticipate increasing reliance 

 upon nuclear energy, but short-and medium-term needs will require 

 increasing use of fossil fuels, although our "onshore" petroleum 

 production and reserves are declining rapidly relative to anticipated 

 demand. Increasing use of coal is expected, but economy, 

 convenience, and pollution control considerations dictate increas- 

 ing dependence upon "offshore" sources of petroleum as well: the 

 Eastern Hemisphere, Alaska, and the Outer Continental Shelf. In 

 support of these urgent requirements, the Federal Ocean Program 

 currently includes accelerated economic, engineering, and environ- 

 mental studies of domestic deepwater ports and offshore terminals 

 for supertankers. These will be required for the importation of large 



