We know much about the oceans but at the same time, we know very little. With- 

 in the scientific community and certainly now in the Departm.ent of Defense, we 

 have the latest powerful super computers, sensors and analytical tools that can un- 

 ravel the oceans secrets to further aid and strengthen our defense, understand 

 world weather problems, predict sea life behavior, protect the environment, and de- 

 velop the potential to generate new improved industries that rely on the oceans. 



As a maritime nation, we should be concerned about our ability to defend our 

 maritime territories and maintain our ability to control the seas in wartime. As citi- 

 zens and legislators, we are also concerned about our shores and ocean economic 

 zones. In particular, we should focus on: finding reasons for the decline of worldwide 

 fisheries; understanding our paucity of ocean industrial endeavors; maintaining the 

 environmental health of our oceans and tributaries; and exploring ways to prevent 

 certain countries from continuing to use the oceans as a dumping ground for nuclear 

 and other toxic wastes. 



Therefore, we in the Congress have a responsibility to ensure that ocean research 

 continues and that there is a way to refocus it, improve technology transfer, and 

 cooperate through partnerships to make it more productive and effective to meet the 

 needs of the community. This is what our initiative is about. 



• It's about refocusing, — setting a meaningful agenda that meets the needs of na- 



tional defense, other public good, and our industry, large and small. 



• It's about efficiency, — working smarter more efficiently in harmony and commu- 



nication through partnering arrangements. 



• It's about dual use, — expanding the work that we do for defense into a synergistic 



leveraging mechanism for both defense and civilian applications. 



So we have gathered our panelists here today to hear their thoughts about the 

 best way to turn this initiative into reality. It is through their expertise that we 

 can determine ways that government agencies and departments can leverage their 

 oceanographic resources through partneringg relationships. 



In addition, we will supplement this hearing with a series of briefings to be held 

 around the country to hear from developers and users of ocean technology at the 

 regional level. Our first briefing, which was held last Monday at the Naval War Col- 

 lege in Newport RI, successfully brought together a diverse group who have devel- 

 oped their own regional partnerships. We had the opportunity to hear what is work- 

 ing and what isn't in Newport. Throughout the year, we will continue to hear from 

 those in the oceanographic community who have implemented innovative partner- 

 ships to more effectively utilize oceanographic resources. This spring, we will recon- 

 vene back here in Washington and examine what is really working out in the field. 



We are embarking on a bold and exciting new initiative which in my opinion will 

 shape the debate about ocean research for the next decade. So I am now anxious 

 to hear from the experts. 



Mr. Weldon. At this point in time, I'd like to recognize a distin- 

 guished leader on ocean issues, whose breadth and scope of envi- 

 ronmental concerns is unparalleled by anyone in this Congress, the 

 distinguished chairman of the Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Sub- 

 committee of the House Resources Committee, Mr. Jim Saxton. 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for the oppor- 

 tunity to be here today. 



I am pleased that the three subcommittees are meeting today to 

 begin a complete review of the Federal Government's oceanogi'aphy 

 program. 



No such comprehensive review has been undertaken in more 

 than 20 years, and that lack of oversight has kept oceanography 

 funding from keeping pace with the overall U.S. research funding 

 programs. 



The primary interest of our subcommittee, the Subcommittee, as 

 you just mentioned, Mr. Chairman, on Fish, Wildlife, and Oceans, 

 is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 

 agency conducts both basic oceanographic research and research 

 that is focused on providing assistance to the agency's management 

 and operational programs. 



