SEA GRANT COLLEGES 239 



York and San Francisco, it not only contributes to the economic de- 

 velopment of the two widely separated terminals, but it develops re- 

 sources and contributes to economic growth of scores of localities along 

 the way. In short, despite of its relative cheapness, sea transporta- 

 tion could not be as effective as overland transport in the development 

 of economic centers, since most recognized natural resources were found 

 on land, while the oceans served principally as transportation routes. 



At present, we appear to be on a threshold of a major historical de- 

 velopment which endows the oceans with new significance. Because 

 of growing shortages of natural resources on land and because of de- 

 veloping marine sciences and technologies, the oceans are being 

 changed from mere routes of transportation to increasingly significant 

 sources of raw materials and foodstuffs. 



Aside from resource benefits, scientific and technological mastery 

 of the oceans carries promise for major advances in activities which 

 will benefit national economies on land. For example, reliable weather 

 forecasting — which involves a study of the interaction between the 

 oceans and the atmosphere — would make advance planning possible 

 and thus effect large savings and increased productivity in both in- 

 dustry and agriculture. 



While an ascendancy of seapower comparable to that of Great 

 Britain in the 19th century is no longer a realistic possibility, these 

 developments do open new and vast opportunities to ocean-oriented 

 nations. However, the requisite technologies have not yet been ade- 

 quately developed and they will require a strong scientific and indus- 

 trial foundation for their development. The United States possesses 

 such a foundation to a degree unmatched by any other nation and she 

 is also unusually favorably situated with respect to the oceans. By 

 taking farsighted and timely measures with respect to the potential of 

 the oceans, this Nation can assure that its strength and vitality, both 

 national and international, are significantly enhanced for many gen- 

 erations to come. 



It is precisely in this light that the value of Senator Pell's bill is to 

 be considered. It addresses itself to a key problem within the area 

 of exploiting the oceans' potential; viz, the education and training of 

 manpower and the promotion of research and development. Without 

 these, our ability to take advantage of the new opportunities will be 

 seriously impaired. 



There are two things, however, which, I feel, should receive an ex- 

 plicit recognition in the bill : (1) the need for training personnel and 

 pursuing research in the social implications of marine science and tech- 

 nologies; (2) the necessity of considering the utilization of the poten- 

 tial of the oceans not only from the point of view of the American 

 economy, but from a broader point of view which includes the needs 

 of our foreign policy and defense. I shall elaborate on these points. 



As I indicated previously, the present interest in the oceans' poten- 

 tial is, essentially, caused by a combination of two things: the emer- 

 gence of new technologies wliich enable us to exploit the vast resources 

 of the oceans, and the social needs, mainly for natural resources and 

 foodstuffs, wliich induce mankind to look toward the oceans to solve its 

 piol)lenis. I^nlike the exploration of outer space, whose direct impact 

 on sof-ieties has been so far relatively limited — and, on tlie economic 

 level, it is likely to remain so — the exploitation of the potential of the 



