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development are organized in many other countries. The diversity of 

 performers fosters creativity and innovation. ... At the same time, diverse 

 funding alternatives give original ideas a better chance to find support than 

 would a more centralized system. 



Research to address today's concerns, along with a inno-tprm rnmmitment to 

 fundamental research, provides a hedge against unforeseen challenges by advancing the 

 human understanding of the planet on which we live. 



Present U.S. Capabilities for Conducting Ocean Science 



The capacity of any nation to conduct basic ocean research is a direct function of 

 resources available, including (1) human, (2) physical, and (3) fiscal resources. Human 

 resources include well-trained scientists, engineers, and technicians. Researchers from a 

 broad range of ocean science subdisciplines are needed to solve the complex, ocean-related 

 resource and environmental problems that face our nation. Physical resources are needed in 

 the form of adequate facilities, including laboratories, ships, submersibles, computing 

 resources, and satellites. As ocean science problems become more complex, requiring long- 

 term and complex sampling strategies and research efforts, the stability of the fiscal 

 resources supporting those scientific endeavors becomes a greater factor in their success. 



