306 OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 



"Nordic Culture Commission" (Ministers of Education and University rectors) 

 to coordinate the efforts inside Scandinavia. The Culture Commission set down 

 an expert committee for marine biology, which made a detailed proposal for 

 Interscandinavian collaboration. On the basis of this proposal the "Nordic 

 Council for Marine Biology" was erected some 3 years ago. The Council 

 consists of 4 members, one from each county: Prof. Hans Brattstrom (Norway), 

 Prof. John Runnstrom (Sweden). Dr. S. G. Segerstrale (Finland), and my- 

 self (Denmark, President). We get equally large amounts of money, viz 

 50,000 Danish crowns from each country each year, making a total of 

 200,000 Danish crowns. For these funds we manage to carry out the 

 following programme of collaboration : In each of the four marine labora- 

 tories : Espegrend, Kristineberg, Tvarminne and Elsinore we permanently have 

 an exchange stipendiate from another Northern country. His salary is paid by 

 the government in the country, where he is a guest, and this means that on an 

 average a young marine biologist from each country will get 1 year's training in 

 a laboratory of another Scandinavian country, combining during this year 

 research work and staff work. Furthermore, each of the four laboratories 

 mentioned above each year gives a specialist course. Fifteen selected young 

 students in marine biology participate in this course every year with an equal 

 share to Finnish, Norwegian. Swedish, and Danish students. Since other spe- 

 cialist courses are taking place the same time at the other three Scandinavian 

 stations, this will mean that 60 s^oung marine biologists every year will get an 

 opportunity to see other marine faunas and floras than their own and to 

 be taught by other professors than they are accustomed to. This gives them a 

 much wider knowledge, and perspective and has proved to be a great success. 

 Any expenses for travel and food and lodgment during the courses and going to 

 and fro are paid by the Council. 



As part of this collaboration-programme, we also take up rei)€tition courses 

 for high school teachers in marine biology. Also here, all expenses are paid by 

 the Council, and the teachers are extremely eager to participate. It has already 

 been demonstrated that, when returning from these courses, the teachers are 

 capable of stimulating their pupils to specialize in marine biology. So also this 

 has been most successful. 



The money we get will also allow us to start a comprehensive scientific col- 

 laboration besides the educational and training programme. When all Scan- 

 dinavia is regarded as a unit, it actually is a fairly large and most varied area, 

 also from an ecological point of view. The four countries may start studies on 

 the organisms as related to a salinity-gradient starting in the brackish water 

 off Finland via the two distinct water masses in the Sound near Helsing0r to 

 the fairly saline Swedish fjords and to the open ocean off Bergen. Or we may 

 study the animals as influenced by a temperature gradient from Arctic Troms0 

 to temperate Esbjerg, and so on. 



This scientific collaboration also comprises efforts of educating and training 

 inside Scandinavia specialists on all animal groups in our seas. Here the 

 Council coordinates their programme. At present Denmark educates specialists 

 on Nemerteans, Aseidians, Turbellarians, Bryozoans, Amphipods, and Ciliates. 

 Norway trains specialists in Foraminifera, in all pelagic larvae. Sweden 

 specialists in Acanthocephalids and in microfauna, and so on. We hope to 

 send these specialists by-and-by to all Scandinavian stations to work up the 

 faunas there, so that, before a too long time, we may publish comprehensive lists 

 of the marine fauna and fiora in the areas round all our four stations. 



Another part of this scientific collaboration is, that all four stations are at 

 present coordinating their faunistic notes. We are printing cards so to use just 

 the same type of files. Actually, it is not files, but large solid, white envelopes. 

 On the front of the envelope is printed heads for all references of literature to 

 the animal species in question. On the back cover of the envelope is printed a 

 map of the area covered by the station's boat, and inside the envelope are placed 

 all new notes, photos or observations on the animal in question. We have found 

 this a very good way to keep all information, and it seems to function well. 



So, you will see, that this fairly small amount at disposal for Nordic collab- 

 oration, less than $30,000 a year in your currency, allows us to make an im- 

 pressive progress in our collaboration and training programme, which has 

 significantly stimulated the interest for marine biology among the young 

 students and carries several of them to our "camp." 



I think this has given you a fairly good idea about, how things are getting 

 on in our country. Probably, I shall have to add, that the governmental funds 



