SEA GRANT COLLEGES 265 



In conclusion, there remains unexploited opportunities in the development 

 of our marine environment, even though a number of programs aje underway 

 and much legislation and many recommendations are still pending. The intro- 

 duction of a grant program in this area would be a significant step in the 

 direction of the fullest development of the potential assets of that environment. 



The modern university with a broad based and balanced educational program 

 would be the ideal place to implement the new concepts in this relatively new 

 scientific area. 



It is indeed encouraging to observe the diligent efforts of this committee in 

 critically examining the great potential which the sea grant college concept 

 may offer. We in the Office of Education are vitally concerned with activi- 

 ties which affect and shape this Nation's institutions of higher education. 

 There is certainly no question that this area of concern will increase in impor- 

 tance in future years, and that we must begin to anticipate the problems and 

 to seek solutions now. 



Prepared STATEitExx of Gardner A. Caverly. Executive Vice President, New 

 England Council for Economic Research and Development 



This statement is written on behalf of the New England Council in support of 

 S. 24.39. tJie proposed "National Sea Grant College and Program Act of 1965" 

 which is presently pending before the Special Subcommittee on Sea Grant 

 Colleges. 



As you may know, the New England Council is a private non-profit organiza- 

 tion with a broadly representative membership interested in the sound economic 

 development of the New England region. As a consequence, The Council is 

 particularly interested in legislation which would strengthen the marine 

 sciences. 



Because of its location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the New England 

 region has long relied on utilization of its marine resources as an imixtrtant 

 part of its economy. This dependency has by no means been a static process. 



The history of fishing industy in New England provides an example of why 

 a program is needed to stimulate the developmen,t of the marine sciences gen- 

 erally. New Bedford. Massachusetts, which now is a site for an outstanding 

 whaling museum wliich attracts tourists and natives alike to view a significant 

 era in the history of the United States and the New England region, symbolizes 

 how time has changed the fishing industry. Today the Port of Bedford takes 

 in over three-quarters of the scallop catch in the United States worth approxi- 

 mately .$7 million. In addition to scallops. New England's fishing industry 

 is principally based upon groundfish, shellfish and "industrial" fish to be used 

 for meal, fertilizer and other non-food uses. Atlantic Coast tunafish, sword- 

 fish and off-shore lobster are new areas which hold further promise. 



Significant change has taken place not only in what is collected from the 

 seas, but how the products of the sea are handled once they reach port. Fish 

 products are delivered to processors — to freezers — canners, and others, who 

 transform fish into a food of convenience for the consumer. This industry earns 

 New England more than $20 million a year. 



The market for New England's fishing products has been good in recent years. 

 However, there is a problem in relation to the American and New England share 

 of the world market. At present. United States fisheries can only meet a 

 portion of the nation's fish requirements and there is an increasing need to im- 

 prove the American and New England fishermen's share of the world and the 

 American market. The trends are not altogether optimistic — shorta.ges of 

 certain fish products in great demand plague the industry. In addition, modern 

 technology requires far greater capital expenditures on etpiipment and techniques 

 to compete successfully than was true in the past. There is a continuing 

 problem of taking effective advantage of modern technology. There is a fur- 

 ther problem of manjwwer needs going unfilled. Not only do we need ways to 

 improve the quality of the equipment and the fleet, but there is a real nee<i 

 to atti-act interested and competent persons into trades based upon ocean re- 

 .sources. Other countries with superior equipment and manpower are winning 

 this economic race. 



The fact is that the United States has not only lagged in developing its fishing 

 industry, but also many other opportunities presented by the oceans. We need 

 to find improved ways to make use of the ocean's vast and virtually untouched 

 resources. The idea of establishing a sea grant college program is a creative 



