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 ocean resources can have for the economies of local communities, states, and regions. In 

 addition to highlighting the role of science in improving our understanding of the relationship 

 between the ocean and human activities, NRC studies have addressed the essential 

 partnerships among government, academia, and the private sector that make effective 

 research in ocean science possible. 



I will focus my remarks on four major issues relavent to our national oceanographic 

 capabilities: (1) the importance of ocean science; (2) essential elements of an ongoing, 

 healthy national ocean science effort; (3) present U.S. capabilities for conducting ocean 

 science; and (4) the outlook for ocean science. In addressing these topics, I will draw 

 largely from reports of the Ocean Studies Board (OSB), the unit within the HRC responsible 

 for oceanographic research and marine resources. Copies of these reports have been 

 provided for use by you and your staff. 



In a 1992 report, Oceanographx in the Next Decade: Building New Partnerships, the 

 NRC made several recommendations regarding the future of ocean science in this country 

 and the nature of the partnerships needed for its continued health. These recommendations 

 are particularly relevant to today's hearing; I include them, here to provide context for my 

 testimony: 



• Each agency with an ocean mission and without strong links to the 



nongovernment community should establish permanent mechanisms for 



ensuring outside scientific advice, review, and interaction. 



