mission of the contiguous coastal state. Similarly, programs in food develop- 

 ment would take into account existing international fishery agreements, and 

 legal considerations, including claims of national sovereignty. 



Scientific Exploration 



Effective exploration of the oceans can best be achieved through balanced 

 research and survey, that is, between programs to solve specific scientific 

 problems and programs for systematic collection of data on a broad regional 

 or world ocean basis. Research and survey efforts are mutually supporting. 

 For instance, survey data led to the recently developed concept of ocean 

 floor spreading. Further surveys are now being directed to test this con- 

 cept. When the specific nature of ocean floor rifting is documented on a 

 global basis, it may then be possible to predict the physical and geological 

 properties at any particular location with a greater degree of certainty. 



The Decade does not by any means suggest exploration of every square 

 mile of the world's ocean, nor investigation of every conceivable ocean 

 phenomenon. However, it does imply that collectively the nations of the 

 world can identify the most promising geographical areas and lines of 

 scientific inquiry. 



Development of National Programs 



Almost every activity of a nation to investigate or operate in the 

 marine environment contributes in some direct or indirect way to a general 

 capability for exploring the oceans and to better understanding of the marine 

 environment. During the Decade all nations would be encouraged to identify 

 how ocean exploration can contribute to scientific and economic develop- 

 ment, and accordingly 



— develop their capabilities for exploring the oceans ; 



— expand national ocean exploration programs ; and 



— share with other nations experience and scientific data acquired 

 from these national programs. 

 At the present time most nations are primarily interested in ocean explora- 

 tion programs close to home shores — exploration of the Continental Shelf 

 and of coastal fishery stocks — and these programs receive the bulk of national 

 financial support. Even though nations are moving farther out to sea every 

 year, in the foreseeable future much of the world's ocean exploration 

 activity will probably continue to be coastal activity, of interest primarily to 

 individual nations. However, sharing of experiences and data from these 

 activities can benefit others. 



Advances in marine science and technology depend critically upon the 

 effective flow of information — from data collectors to data consumers. 

 Existing mechanisms, both national and international, need considerable 

 strengthening to handle the ever-increasing flow of marine data. If the 

 Decade is to be successful, early attention to data exchange on a broad basis 

 appears essential. As more sophisticated data processing equipment comes 

 into use, particular attention should be given to the compatability of na- 

 tional data systems. Also, standardization of data collection techniques and 

 common procedures for calibrating oceanographic instruments are essential 

 if data are to be useful on a broad basis. 



