281 



In addition to reviewing materials pre- 

 pared by the panels, the Commission utilized 

 reports and papers prepared by contractors. 

 A nimiber of consultants also prepared 

 papei's esjiecially for the use of the Commis- 

 sion and made available other relevant un- 

 published material. Staff prepared reports 

 and other materials for the use of panels and 

 the full Commission. A number of these mate- 

 rials are cited in Appendix 4. 



In every sense of the word this has been 

 a working Commission. The full Commis- 

 sion usually met monthly and in total 

 held 19 meetings of 2 to 4 days each. Com- 

 mission members were diligent in their at- 

 tendance, all or almost all members attend- 

 ing each meeting. They traveled to meet with 

 experts in their areas of interest. Much of 

 their time has been consumed in assessing 

 voluminous materials and in preparing mat-e- 

 rials for the panel reports and the Commis- 

 sion report. Members have been immersed 

 in the work of the Commission since their 

 appointment. 



The Commission operated with a mini- 

 mal staff until the panels were organized and 

 qualified individuals became available to 

 serve. In addition to staff for the seven 

 panels, a small central staff served the full 

 Commission. Tlie total full-time staff even- 

 tually grew to number some 15 professional 

 and 10 secretarial and other supporting per- 

 sonnel. In addition, a few part-time staff 

 members were utilized as their expertise was 

 needed. Like the Commission itself, staff 

 were drawn from all parts of the country and 

 from industry, universities, and Federal 

 agencies: they included scientists, engineers, 

 lawyers, administrators, editors, and other 

 specialists. 



Throughout the Commission's work, there 

 was close and cordial cooperation with the 



National Council on Marine Resources and 

 Engineering Development and its staff. Yet 

 each body has maintained its se|Darate role. 

 The Commission has been free from the in- 

 fluence of the Council, enabling it to provide 

 its own assessment of Federal activities and 

 organizations, including the effectiveness of 

 the Council arrangement itself. The Council 

 has preserved its separate identity because 

 it is charged with advising the President on 

 the report of the Commission. 



Independence has been maintained at the 

 same time each body has informed the other 

 of its work. The Commission has benefited 

 particularly from views expressed by an ad 

 hoc committee of the Council convened on 

 two separate occasions to review drafts of 

 Commission material. The Commission has 

 been free to deal directly with the Federal 

 agencies and has done so often, while keep- 

 ing Council staff informed of such contacts. 



One of the most rewarding aspects of the 

 Commission's work has been the interaction 

 with groups and individuals from within and 

 outside the marine community. In the con- 

 duct of its study, the Commission has sought 

 to involve the principal organizations and 

 leaders in all sectors of the country con- 

 cerned with the oceans and has invited com- 

 ment through hearings, informal meetings 

 and seminars, correspondence, and a general 

 invitation for comments pWed in the trade 

 j^ress. Helpful assistance has been received 

 from agencies and individuals at all levels 

 of government; from industrial associations 

 and officials of individual companies; from 

 scientific organizations, the heads of labora- 

 tories, and working scientists; and from uni- 

 versity administrators and individual jiro- 

 fessors. In all, more than 1,000 individuals 

 were personally contacted by the Commis- 

 sion. Most of these persons are listed and their 



