9 



on matters within its purview. The commission also benefited sig- 

 nificantly in having the support and help of four congressional ad- 

 visers (two from the Senate and Mr, Lennon and Mr. Mosher 

 appointed from the House), who generously make themselves avail- 

 able to advise and assist the commission in numerous ways, although 

 refraining, per the statute, from participating directly in its work. 



A large number of excellent studies and reports had preceded the 

 formation of the commission and provided a secure foundation for 

 its work. The assignment to the commission, however, extended well 

 beyond the scope of all previous studies in requiring a searching and 

 comprehensive review of the totality of the Nation's nonmilitary 

 interests in the seas. 



The commission interpreted its mandate broadly. Pursuant to 

 the clear intent of Congress, it undertook to formulate a plan of 

 national action, which would embrace the activities of local govern- 

 ments, international organizations, and the private sector as well as 

 of Federal agencies. 



Wliereas previous reports had concentrated largely on scientific 

 and technical matters, the commission looked to the whole range of 

 the Nation's civil marine interests including resource development, 

 environmental prediction, the maintenance of environmetal quality, 

 and on a more limited basis, recreation, transportation, and military 

 uses of the oceans. 



Its recommendations were directed to improving institutional 

 frameworks as well as to advancing knowledge and improving tech- 

 nical capabilitj^ to make more effective use of the oceans. A major 

 portion of the commission's work, of course, was addressed to con- 

 sidering the most effective way to organize the very broad spectrum 

 of persons and groups having a stake in marine affairs so as to mobilize 

 effective action, not just within the Federal Establishment, but across 

 the entire Nation. 



One of the most important contributions made by the commission, 

 in my mind, was its differentiation of three major zones of geographic 

 interest within the overall plan. Whereas the science of oceanography 

 had focused mainly on the deep oceans, and previous reports had re- 

 flected this view, the comimssion concluded that it was Nation's coasts, 

 estuarine areas, and Great Lakes which presented the most urgent 

 problems and the most immediate and tangible opportunities for 

 improvement. 



Development of the sea's resources, while conducted in a variety 

 of environments, required improved technology and survey informa- 

 tion chiefly at Continental Shelf depths, which defined a second zone. 

 Beyond the shelves stretch the deep seas, of which present knowledge 

 permits only limited use, and here the major tasks seemed to be 

 exploration and scientific investigation and to establish a monitoring 

 and prediction system to maintain watch over the coupled movements 

 of the global air-sea envelope. 



The commission conducted its basic investigations through seven 

 panels, drawn from its membership and supported by staff and con- 

 sultants. The reports of panels — dealing with marine science, tech- 

 nology,- resource development, industrial and investment issues, 

 environmental matters, education and training, and international 

 law — provided the primary source material upon which the com- 

 mission as a whole based its conclusions. ■ 



