Precision navigational aids are becoming more important as oceano- 

 graphic measurements are made increasingly in waters distant from shore. 

 National programs for improving navigational accuracies have traditionally 

 assisted the ships of many nations. Further refinement of existing systems 

 and introduction of new systems by the maritime nations could contribute 

 significantly to the success of the Decade. 



Skilled manpower is essential for any nation to enhance its capabilities for 

 exploring the oceans. The size, scope, and quality of current national pro- 

 grams and programs initiated in the next several years for training oceanog- 

 raphers, marine engineers and technicians, and specialists in related fields 

 will be a significant factor in determining the rate at which ocean explora- 

 tion is intensified during the 1970's. 



International Collaborative Projects 



Types off Projects 



As a point of departure for international discussions, consideration might 

 be given to the following kinds of projects : 



— surveys of selected ocean areas, principally from oceanographic ships, 

 complemented by increasing use of other platforms such as space- 

 craft, buoys, submersibles, and ships of opportunity; 



— intensive study of designated ocean areas of limited expanse ; 



— research directed to specific ocean phenomena; 



— development of improved world-wide data collection, processing, 

 storage, and distribution facilities and services to facilitate interna- 

 tional exchange of data ; and 



— assistance in strengthening the capabilities of the developing na- 

 tions to participate in exploration programs, including manpower 

 training. 



Illustrative Objectives 



Illustrative of the types of objectives for such collaborative endeavors 

 that might be considered internationally are these examples: 



/. Exploration of Living Resources 



Assessment of living resources useful to man in uncharted regions 

 of the world ocean. 



Assessment of current utilization of known fishery stocks. 

 Acquisition of knowledge relating living resources to their environ- 

 ment in order that greater efficiency in their capture and conservation 

 can be achieved. 



2. Exploration of the Ocean Floor 



Determination of the geological structure and mineral and energy 



resource potential of the world's continental margins. 



Preparation of topographic, geological, and geophysical maps of 



selected areas of the deep ocean floor. 



Coring and drilling on the continental margins and deep ocean floor 



in selected areas. 



