28 



Understanding the marine environment, hascd on scientific research and 

 analysis, is crucial to such national ohjctives as improving man's ability 

 to u-ork- in the sea. In this Cdpcriment, a small rodent lires normally in 

 a tank completely submerged in water, receiving its oxygen from the 

 water through a synthetic tank membrane that acts like a fl^h gill. 



Tlie scope of the task, the cost, and the risks 

 in marine science and technology are so great 

 that industry and the i-esearch communities 

 face a truly formidable task which cannot be 

 accomplished unless Government lends a 

 lielping hand. The Commission concludes 

 that public investment in building the na- 

 tional capability is warranted by the prospect 

 of substantial economic gains from the devel- 

 opment of new resources to meet expanding 

 human needs, by the emergence of new busi- 

 nesses and industries and revitalization of old 

 ones, by the improvement of marine and at- 



mospheric prediction, and by the protection 

 and development of the Nation's coastal zone. 



The Commission believes it would be diffi- 

 cult to overstate the importance of basic sci- 

 ence and fundamental technology to a na- 

 tional effort in the sea. Applied science and 

 engineering are vital, but they must be devel- 

 oped on a broad base of fundamental knowl- 

 edge and skill. The rapid expansion of that 

 base is a first requirement. 



Tlie growth of scientific understanding of 

 the world oceans will not be accomplished 

 quickly or easily even with the greatly ex- 



