23 



paneled effort recommended. The seas are vast, 

 complex, subtle, and often hostile to man and 

 his works. They will not yield their secrets 

 in a decade or a generation. But, with deter- 

 mination and imagination, understanding of 

 ocean processes will increase continually, 

 stimulating corresponding growth in the Na- 

 tion's capability to use and harvest the seas. 

 The development of basic science and fun- 

 damental technology requires a proper in- 

 stitutional framework, establishment of pro- 

 grams, creation of facilities, supply of man- 

 power, strong communications channels 

 among the many segments of the scientific 

 and engineering communities, and adequate 

 funds. 



Advancing Marine Science 



Importance and Objectives of Marine 

 Science 



Scientific research and analysis must be 

 supported to overcome inadequacies in our 

 understanding which limit the Nation's use 

 of the seas. The quest for basic knowledge 

 has for many years received Federal sup- 

 port, because our people share the curiosity 

 of scientists about the nature of man, his 

 planet, and his universe and because they 

 share the scientists' conviction that over the 

 long term the quest will yield knowledge that 

 can better man's condition. 



The Commission notes with misgiving the 

 recent tendency to condition Federal support 

 of science on a prosfject of imminent, tan- 

 gible results of economic value. Certainly a 

 large body of research directed to such results 

 is necessary, but it would be contrary to the 

 national interest to overemphasize applied 

 research at the expense of fundamental un- 

 derstanding. Researcli motivated solel}' by 

 the curiosity of scientists has produced, with 

 compelling regularity, unanticipated applica- 

 tions which have improved man's lot and lit- 

 erally changed the face of the earth. 



There is much to be learned about the 

 planet earth, and many keys to learning are 

 in and under the sea. The total body of 

 oceanic knowledge is advanced best by the 

 pursuit of fundamental understanding of the 

 biological, physical, geological, and chemical 

 characteristics of the planetary oceans with- 

 out regard to immediate applications. Con- 

 tinuing and substantial support of basic ma- 

 rine science is a national investment which 

 will provide an underpinning for all future 

 activities in tlie sea. 



The Commission recommends that the 

 advancement of understanding of the 

 planetary oceans be established as a ma- 

 jor goal of the national ocean program. 



Marine Science in the United States 

 Today 



Marine science in the United States today 

 is vigorous, diversified, competent, and at 

 least the equal of marine science anywhere in 

 tlie world. It grew rapidly in the first half 

 of this decade, and if growth continues, will 

 soon attain a productive maturity capable 

 of serving the interests of the Nation and 

 the world. 



Scientists throughout the country are ac- 

 tivelj' engaged in marine scientific research. 

 They are concentrated in a few major institu- 

 tions, but smaller groups and individual re- 

 searchers are found in laboratories and uni- 

 versities in all the 50 States. 



The Federal Government spent some $117 

 million on marine research in Fiscal Year 

 1968. The U.S. Department of Defense— 

 primarily the U.S. Navy — accounted for 

 about one-third the total. Other major fund- 

 ing agencies are the National Science Foun- 

 dation (NSF) and the many marine-related 

 bureaus and agencies of the U.S. Department 

 of the Interior. Smaller but still substantial 



