192 



3. How can NOAA best carry out its undersea 

 research? 



As you know, for some time I have been 

 interested in the NOAA National Undersea Research 

 Program. 



Although I believe the program has provided an 

 excellent contribution to our ocean studies, I 

 continue to be very concerned about the lack of basic 

 research that takes place in the Gulf of Mexico, a 

 body of water with a very concentrated amount of 

 economic activity for our nation in terms of fisheries 

 and oil and gas activity, not to mention the vital role 

 for national defense. 



I believe that a major contributor to the large 

 disparity in funding for undersea research in the 

 Gulf of Mexico in comparison to other areas of the 

 country is lack of comparable undersea research 

 dollars being spent at educational facilities in the 

 region. 



How steps can we take to address this disparity 

 and establish a stronger on-site undersea research 

 program immediately adjacent to the Gulf of 

 Mexico? 



