FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
National Goals. The oceans’ importance to national security, con- 
sidered in the widest possible sense, requires that goals for the Nation’s 
ocean program be clearly stated and that the program be oriented to- 
ward meeting these goals. The Panel therefore recommends that the 
President state the ultimate objective of the national ocean program 
as being effective use of the sea by man for all purposes currently 
considered for the terrestrial environment: commerce; industry, rec- 
reation and settlement, as well as for knowledge and understanding. 
This objective implies four specific goals : 
1. Acquiring the ability to predict and ultimately control 
phenomena affecting the safety and economy of seagoing activities. 
2. Undertaking measures required for fullest exploitation of re- 
sources represented by, in and under the sea. 
3. Utilizing the sea to enhance national security. 
4. Pursuing scientific investigations for describing and understand- 
ing marine phenomena, processes and resources (see sec. 1.1). 
Role of the Federal Government. Great concern was evident 
within the private sector as to the Federal Government’s proper role 
in developing the nation’s ocean program. The Panel believes that 
division of effort among government, industry, and universities ap- 
propriate to land-based activities is advisable for the oceans and that 
the Federal Government should not preempt these activities to the 
extent it has, for example, in space. We recommend that the Govern- 
ment perform four functions in achieving the goals of the national 
ocean program: 
1. Enunciate national policies concerning the marine interests of the 
United States. 
2. Foster exploration, development and use of oceans and their re- 
sources through establishment of appropriate financial, legal, regu- 
latory, enforcement and advisory institutions and measures. 
3. Promote description and prediction of the marine environment 
and development of capabilities for its modification. 
4. Initiate, support, and encourage programs of education, train- 
ing, and research and provide technical services and facilities related 
to activities in pertinent sciences and technology (see sec. 10.2). 
These Federal functions are not new; however, only the last two 
functions are to any degree developed and coordinated across existing 
agency lines. Systematic development and application by a more cen- 
tralized authority are required for efficient implementation of the first 
two functions. 
Oceans and National Security. Increased Federal participation in 
ocean activities is required for national security. The developing 
strategic situation, which may require a much improved undersea 
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