NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 101 



be done by contract with a competent, disinterested, non-Govern- 

 ment organization experienced in matters pertaining to the law of the 

 sea. Supporting a detailed research investigation on this complex 

 problem is very important. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Frederick Seitz, President. 



National Science Foundation, 



Washington, D.C., July 28, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House oj Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : This is in further reply to your request for the 

 views of the National Science Foundation on H.R. 5175, providing for 

 a study of the legal problems of management, use, and control of the 

 natm"al resources of the oceans and ocean beds. 



H.R. 5175 would require that the legal study referred to be under- 

 taken by the U.S. Coast Guard. In our view the matters with which 

 the study would be concerned are not sufficiently within the responsi- 

 bilities of the Coast Guard so as to make it appropriate for that 

 organization to conduct the proposed study. We suggest that if a 

 study is to be made, it be accomplished by an agency more closely 

 identified with such areas of activity. 



The Bureau of the Budget has advised us it has no objection to sub- 

 mission of this report from the standpoint of the administration's 

 program. 



Sincerely yours, 



Leland J. Haworth, Director. 



Executive Office of the President, 



Office of Science and Technology, 



Washington, May 20, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman. Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House oj Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for the opportunity to comment 

 on H.R. 5175, a bill to provide for study of legal problems relating to 

 the management, use, and control of natural resources of the oceans 

 and ocean beds. 



As knowledge and technology is acquired through the national 

 oceanographic program which enables us to manage, use, and control 

 the valuable resources of the sea, it is essential that such acti^dties 

 proceed within an appropriate framework of Federal and international 

 law. Legal problems inevitably follow new human activities and our 

 emerging capabilities to exploit the oceans create the need for full 

 understanding of the relevant legal considerations and international 

 implications. In this regard, the International Convention on the 

 Continent.ll Shelf is a major accomplishment. 



Although I am not acquainted w4th the specific legal problems in 

 connection with the management, use, and control of oceanic resources, 

 it is evident that many unresolved questions relating to such matters 



