OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 367 



research in adding to man's basic storehouse of knowledge concerning his environ- 

 ment. In this respect it is unquestionably true that our knowledge of the seas, 

 which comprise approximately three-fourths of the earth's surface, has lagged far 

 behind our knowledge and exploration of land and sky. 



It is ironic, in a sense, that we are beginning to explore the frontiers of outer 

 space before we have explored fully the aquatic resources of our own planet. 

 p]ventually we may be compelled, by the sheer weight of our rapidly expanding 

 world population, to investigate the ocean depths for possible new sources of 

 high-protein foods with which to replenish our limited food supplies, as well as 

 those of other nations. Before that time comes, it would be desirable to expand 

 our basic knowledge of marine resources and the factors which control their 

 distribution and affect their abundance. 



Foreign countries, including both those considered friendly to our way of life 

 and those which are not, are increasing their exploitation of fishery resources 

 in all areas of the world, including waters adjacent to our own coasts. Some of 

 these countries appear to be far ahead of the United States in th«ir study of the 

 oceanographic sciences. The United States, for reasons of its own prestige and 

 self-preservation, cannot afford to be left behind in this worldwide race. 



If it is to survive economically, the American fish canning industry must be 

 able to compete successfully with those of other nations where the costs of 

 production are significantly lower. At present, the fishing fleets which supply 

 the NCA's fish canners are required to spend long hours in search of their 

 prospective catches. If we can learn more about the effects of various natural 

 phenomena upon fish movements, we can reduce the time required for the catch 

 and, thereby, lower the costs of production significantly. 



In conclusion, the National Canners Association supports the objectives of 

 H.R. 4276 and urges its enactment by the Congress. 



Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier, Inc., 



Boston, Mass., March 9, 1961. 

 Mr. George P. Miller, 



Chairman, Subcommittee on Oceanography, 

 U.S. House of Representatives, House Offle Building. 



Dear Mr. Miller : We have just read your bill on the establishment of the 

 National Oceanographic Council. 



The National Oceanographic Data Center sounds like a wonderful idea. 

 Tens of thousands of photographs of the ocean floor have been taken using our 

 cameras all over the world. We hope that some day these pictures will be on 

 file in the data center. Some sample pictures are enclosed. They were taken 

 last fall by Dr. Richard Pratt of WHOI in about 3,000 feet of water 200 miles 

 east of New York. 

 Users of our cameras are : 



Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 



Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 



Comdr. J. Cousteau and National Geographic Society. 



French bathyscaph. 



U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory. 



Bell Telephone Laboratories. 



Advanced Systems Development. 



Life magazine. 



Naval Electronics Laboratory. 



Westinghouse Research Laboratory. 



U.S. Navy Hydrographic Oflice. 



Global Marine Exploration Co. 



U.S. Navy, Newport, R.I. 



Department of Defense Production. 



Department of Mines and Technical Survey. 



Tours truly, 



Samuel O. Raymond, Senior Engineer. 



