69 



and marketing them, and the impact which activities connected with their 

 extraction and mining will have on the other uses of the sea. Until such time as a 

 comprehensive study has been concluded any action to vest control of deep ocean 

 resources in an international body would be ill advised and untimely. 



The exploration of inner space has just now begun but we do know that the 

 oceans could provide a bonanza of mineral resources and food if properly explored 

 and exploited. Due to the worldwide population exp;i,nsion, the supply of food in 

 the next centurjr is a problem of the deepest concern. It is believcid that the ocean 

 can and will provide sufficient nutrients for any world population. 



I believe strongly that if title to the oceans' bottoms is placed under the control 

 of the United Nations or any international agency our progress in oceanography 

 will be severely impeded. Free oceans permit free competition which in turn will 

 allow all nations and any nation to proceed rapidly in uncovering the bountiful 

 gifts which we know they hold. 



I commend the Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements 

 for its promptness in undertaking these hearings. 



Statement of Hon. Edward A. Garmatz, Chairman, House Committee on 

 Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Concerning House Joint Resolution 

 819 



Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I greatly appreciate your letter 

 of September 1.5 inviting me to testify during today's hearing, which you have 

 scheduled to take testimony on my bill, H.J. Res. 819, and related measures, in 

 opposition to vesting control of the resources of the bed of the deep ocean beyond 

 the Continental Shelf in the United Nations. 



I think the introductory recitals to H.J. Res. 819 and the other similar and 

 identical bills are fully explanatory. They point out: 



(1) Our awareness of the fact that there are certain groups and individuals 

 favoring hasty action for the purpose of placing the United Nations in control of 

 the resources of the bed of the deep ocean and the sea floor beyond National 

 jurisdictions; 



(2) The fact that our National goals for the develo])ment of deep ocean re- 

 sources have not yet been clearly defined, nor have we formulated an approach 

 to the development of these resources; 



(3) The fact of our limited understanding of the extent of the resources and other 

 aspects dealing with the means of obtaining access to them, processing and 

 marketing them, and the interrelation between the exploitation of such resources 

 and other uses of the sea; 



(4) That it is National law, in the form of Public Law 89-454, the Marine Re- 

 sources and Engineering Development Act of 1966, which established machinery 

 in the form of the National Council on Marine Resources and Engineering Devel- 

 opment and the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources, for 

 the particular purpose of identifying National objectives concerning undersea 

 resources and recommending programs to accomplish these objectives; and 



(5) Responsible National organizations and individuals interested and ex- 

 perienced in the development of undersea resources oppose suggestions concerning 

 the vesting of control in such resources in the United Nations at this time. 



Mr. Chairman, specifically, there has been brought to my attention the so-called 

 "Malta Proposal", by which the government of Malta has requested the Secretary 

 General of the United Nations for the inclusion of a supplementary item in the 

 agenda of the 22nd Session of the United Nations, which convened earlier this week, 

 concerning the "reservation exclusively for peaceful purposes of the sea bed and of 

 the ocean floor, underlying the seas beyond the limitation of our National jurisdic- 

 tion, and the use of their resources in the interests of mankind." 



Superficially, it would seem difficult to quarrel with such a high-sounding 

 purpose. But the fact is, despite extensive efforts in recent years to gain an under- 

 standing of all aspects of the oceanic environment, we are stiU only at the thres- 

 hold of knowledge. I personally think, and I know my views are shared by many, 

 many others familiar with the subject, thafit would be most unwise, and dangerous 

 to the vital interests of the United States, and even of the world, to seriously 

 consider such a proposal at this time, when there is such vast lack of knowledge 

 concerning such an important subject. 



