Chapter II 

 NATIONAL GOALS IN OCEANOGRAPHY 



The National Goal in Oceanography: To Subordinate Goals: Strengthening Basic Science 



comprehend the world ocean, its boundaries, its proper- 

 ties, and its processes, and to exploit this comprehension 

 in the public interest, in enhancment of our security, 

 our culture, our international posture, and our economic 

 growth. 



To show that the long-range plan in oceanog- 

 raphy derives logically from considerations of the 

 national interest as expressed by the above- 

 mentioned national goal is desirable, but not 

 easy. Each of us perceives the national interest in 

 his own way, relating it — quite properly — to his 

 own interest. In a democracy the national interest 

 is in fact a collective expression of regional, sec- 

 tional, local, institutional, and individual interests, 

 and as these evolve, change, and interact with 

 each other and our environment so the national 

 interest appears in a variable and shifting light. 

 Nevertheless, something abides to which we ail 

 respond; the recent growth in oceanography from 

 a ten-miilion-doUar enterprise involving only a 

 few hundred professional workers in 1953 to one 

 thirteenfold greater in 1963 pursued by a few 

 thousand demonstrates how greatly the seas have 

 begfun to evoke this response from present-day 

 Americans. Even if the more conservative projec- 

 tions of this plan apply, at least a further doubling 

 in annual financial effort can be expected before 

 the end of the next decade, and if some of the 

 possibilities which are promising but as yet un- 

 certain come to pass the amount could be far 

 greater still. 



Such figures, like the statements of public offi- 

 cials that oceanography is of vital importance to 

 the Nation,* the declared intention of Congress 

 that the United States capability in this field be 

 second to none, and the vigorous efforts of num- 

 erous representatives of the oceanographic com- 

 munity such as the National Academy of Sciences 

 Committee on Oceanographyt to promote a public 

 awareness of oceanography's scientific and social 

 significance, are indices — though not explana- 

 tions—of the extent to which oceanography is 



Improving National Defense 

 Managing Resources in the World Ocean 

 Managing Resources in Domestic Waters 

 Protecting Life and Property; Insuring the 

 Safety of Operations at Sea 



related to the national interest. For an explana- 

 tion we must turn to more specific and concrete 

 matters, the goals and responsibilities of the 

 Federal Government. 



Government is the principal agent for further- 

 ing the national interest. For this purpose it is 

 possible to identify certain continuing goals. As 

 stated in a recent publication by a distinguished 

 nonpartisan group of leaders in modern Amer- 

 ican thought, t "The paramount goal of the United 

 States was set long ago. It is to guard the rights of 

 the individual, to ensure his development, and to 

 enhance his opportunity." It may be considered 

 that oceanography supports the maritime aspects 

 of this goal. 



In pursuit of this goal, the Federal Government 

 has assumed a number of specific responsibilities. 

 Those relating to defense and the general welfare 

 for which a knowledge of the oceans is particu- 

 larly pertinent are shared by some 16 agencies and 

 bureaus within almost all the major departments 

 of the Executive. To see why oceanography has 

 moved nearer the center of the stage represented 

 by the diverse activities of these departments, it 

 is instructive to examine the missions and roles 

 with which these agencies are collectively charged. 



A. Strengthening Basic Science 



The Federal Government has in recent years 

 financed an ever- increasing share of the Nation's 

 research and development activity. During the cur- 

 rent fiscal year, this share is estimated at about 



*S^e, for example, the President's Budget Message to Congress, 

 March 1961. 



tNASCO's 1959 report "Oceanography I960-1970" is generally 

 considered responsible for stimulating much of the growth and interest 

 the field is experiencing today. 



f'Goals for Americans," The Report of the President's Commission 

 on National Goals, 1960, by the American Assembly. Columbia Uni- 

 versity. 



