214 



concern for means to encourage private enterprise tlirougli investment in- 

 centives, legal measures, and technical assistance. 



G. International aspects and problems relating to the future development 

 of the total marine environment. 



7. The cun-ent state and adequacy of education and training to meet the 

 needs of nuirlne science and technology. 

 Each panel is composed of from two to tour members of the Commission with 

 professional staff and consultant support. Heai-iiigs and conferences are being 

 held throughout the country to afford ample opportunity for an expression of 

 views on the stat^e of the marine sciences and their future needs. iSeveral panels 

 have in addition iilans to send inquiries to selected individuals and organizations 

 to solicit theii' informal opini(ms, and a program of interviews has been under- 

 taken with outstanding scientists, engineers, economists, industrialists, educators 

 and legislators on one aspect or another of marine problems. 



The Commission has been meeting as a whole two days of each month. The 

 results of panel activity are now beginning to How in and to provide the basis 

 of our broader discussion. Our most difficult and pressing task at this juncture is 

 to sharpen and to reduce in number the key issues to be dealt with in our final 

 report. The range and variety of questions with which we must come to grips can 

 be illustrated by the following abbreviated list: 



1. What is the significance of the oceans to national interests? Should 

 the United States undertake major new programs of research and develop- 

 ment to meet economic, political, military or scientific needs in the marine 

 environment? 



2. What can be done to enlist private capital and initiative more effec- 

 tively in the development of marine resources? Do new technologies offer a 

 basis for the development of new industries which will prove to be both 

 competitive and self-sufficient? 



3. Are the prospects of significant advances in environmental prediction 

 and control sufficient to warrant at this stage a major investment in the 

 research and observation necessary for the understanding of land, air, and 

 sea as coupled system? 



4. What roles should be assumed by local, state, interstate, national and 

 international bodies in managing the use of off-short lands and waters? 



5. What can be done to direct the development of ocean resources as 

 a positive force for fruitful relations among nations rather than a con- 

 tinuing source of friction and conflict? 



6. What organizational changes and initiatives are necessary to achieve 

 our objectives? 



The Commission harbors no illusion that it can provide final answers to these 

 or to a multitude of other related questions. Indeed Public Law 89^54 itself was 

 envisaged by the Congress only as a first step. But we have proceeded far enough 

 to have confidence that over the coming months we shall succeed in outlining 

 the salient features of a comprehensive plan for the more effective development 

 of marine science and engineering, and in recommending how the utilization of 

 our resources can best be managed. 



Enclosed is a list of the 15 members of the Commission and the four Con- 

 gressional advisory members. 

 Sincerely yours. 



J. A. Stratton, Chairman. 



Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources, Washington, D.C. 



The members of the Commission are : 



Dr. Julius A. Stratton, Chairman of the Board, Ford Foundation, New York. 

 (Chairman). 



Dr. Richard A. Geyer, Head, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M Uni- 

 versity. (Vice-Chairman) 



David A. Adams of North Carolina, Chief of Commercial and Sport Fisheries, 

 North Carolina. 



.John H. Perry of Florida, President of Perry Publications and inventor of 

 Perry Cubmarine. 



Taylor A. Pryor of Hawaii, Director of Sea I>ife, Inc., and founder of Hawaii 

 Oceanic Foundation. 



