OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 149 



data from all sources, governmental and private, foreign and domestic. 

 The Center's large scale introduction of machine processing tech- 

 niques to oceanographic data will not only make significant contribu- 

 tions to the overall coordination of oceanographic research and sur- 

 veys, but will also play a major part in the research and development 

 of new instrumentation whereby data may be acquired in forms more 

 readily adapted to such processes and thereby more rapidly available. 



In the field of international cooperation as well, the National Ocea- 

 nographic Data Center is taking a significant part. At present, ex- 

 change agreements for oceanographic data exist with Argentina, 

 Canada, Chile, France, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Union of 

 South Africa, Norway, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Japan, and New Zea- 

 land. Exchange arrangements with the International Council for 

 the Exploration of the Sea, an organization of 14 nations, and with 

 the Fishery Branch of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana 

 are being considered. 



The Interagency Committee on Oceanography believes that its 

 work in the coordination of the national oceanographic progi'am has 

 just begun. With our past work as a basis, we are already planning 

 for the next year's increment in this long-range effort on a more funda- 

 mental approach. In research we are formulating long-range ob- 

 jectives from which agency programs can be developed on an even 

 better basis of coordination. For example, it is our intent to examine 

 objectives and interests in the distribution of ocean properties and the 

 dynamic processes involving circulation, tides, and waves ; the inter- 

 relationship of ocean and atmosphere ; the abundance and the varia- 

 tions in abundance of the living and mineral resources of the seas; 

 and an examination of those properties which might be exploited to 

 modify significantly the oceans for the benefit of mankind. 



We have already in print a Committee pamphlet which sets forth 

 in detail for fiscal year 1962 the operating schedules for research 

 and survey ships. We have distributed this to all interested agencies 

 and institutions with a firm belief that it will optimize the use of our 

 existing seagoing platforms. We intend to continue in this endeavor 

 in all fields of oceanographic studies. 



We are engaged in the development of a national survey plan for 

 the acquisition of data on a coordinated basis. As currently en- 

 visioned, the plan will be based on a thorough examination of the 

 fimdamental data requirements of all of the responsible agencies and 

 will lead not only to a survey plan, but will encompass the require- 

 ments for modem instrumentation and for available instrument plat- 

 forms as well. We intend also to examine feasibility and methods 

 whereby this Nation's commercial shipping may contribute to our data 

 acquisition requirements. 



As strongly emphasized by President Kennedy in his program, 

 there are urgent requirements in education and training in order 

 that we, as a nation, may be able to conduct a meaningful expansion 

 in the marine sciences. We in the Committee are currently engaged 

 in an examination of the problems relating to the education and 

 training of oceanographers — a review of the specific needs of the 

 various agencies, institutions, and laboratories for trained personnel — 

 as well as the possible ways in which these needs can be met. 



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