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In oceanography, as in other branches of science , 

 the incessant demands of important, practical problems 

 often overwhelm the quiet voice of basic research. This 

 is most lil^ely to happen in the mission-oriented federal 

 agencies. The importance of fostering, supporting, and 

 encouraging basic research, and of providing the intellec- 

 tual atmosphere where enterprises in basic research may 

 flourish, needs to be restated again and again. 



Ne recognize that there is a continuous feedback 

 between discovery and application, that reciprocal fertil- 

 ization of ideas is important and does occur between basic 

 and applied scientists. But the mutualism that should 

 exist in funding these activities is all too often so 

 heavily skewed in favor of applied science that little is 

 left for support of basic studies. The Committee therefore 

 expresses some concern that the iTavy, for example, in 

 enthusiastically embracing our recommendations for greater 

 efforts in the applied marine sciences, and in moving 

 vigorously to expand programs that are important to mili- 

 tary defense, might inadvertently smother the Office of 

 naval Research. This Office has been the most important 

 source of federal funds for studies in basic oceanography 

 in the :.7ation's universities and research institutions. 

 The Ccraraittee commends its enlightened research support 

 policy, and urges that OUR support of the marine sciences 

 be strengthened and continued, 



ether federal agencies with directed missions support 

 basic research in oceanography only to a limited degree 

 despite challenging opportuni-cies. The Atomic Energy 

 Commission through its Branch of Environmental Sciences 

 is an encouraging exception. Though its funds have been 

 limited, this agency is supporting an increasing amount of 

 basic research. 



Participation in marine studies by the Public Health 

 Service remains minor in spite of the potential importance 

 that biological studies of marine organisms may have to 

 medical and health-related problems. In the Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries, there is considerable evidence of 

 interest and desire to undertake the basic research nec- 

 essary to provide information essential to informed 



