NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 147 



endorse your own statement at the time these current hearings were announced — 

 that the INIerchant Marine and Fisheries Committee "has been worldng hard at 

 this subject for about 6 years now, and I thinli we are in a position to reach 

 a mature conclusion in this session of this Congress." 



I intend to cover tliree major points: First, the importance of oceanography 

 to the Nation ; second, my concern about lack of progress and the dangers of 

 this country losing its leadership in this area ; and third, a summary of provi- 

 sions of H.R. 5654 that I believe will provide the necessaiT legislative base 

 to a sound program in marine science and engineering. 



The importance of oceanography to the security and welfare of this country 

 was first described in the study by the National Academy of Sciences, released 

 Febrilary 15, 1959. It was your committee 6 years ago that first responded to 

 the opportunities for U.S. leadership advocated in that report through establish- 

 ment, on February 17, of a Special Subcommittee on Oceanography under Con- 

 gressman George P. Miller. That subcommittee began extensive hearings almost 

 immediately, and over the past 6 years, Mr. Chairman, your committee has 

 developed abundant testimony on the goals of a national program in oceanog- 

 raphy, and on resources and Federal organization needed for their achievement. 



But in recognizing the necessity for careful review of the various functions 

 nnd responsibilities of agencies engaged in ocean research we cannot afford to 

 delay for any lengthy period the necessary reorganization of this activity. Two 

 years of study is too long. The state of oceanographic research has been care- 

 fully studied and reported upon by a competent NAS-NRC committee. Other 

 groups, including committees of Congress, have also done valuable work in this 

 field. It would seem appropriate at this time, therefore, to have a small expert 

 group bring up to date and pull together the knowledge already collated to 

 give Congress a factual summary and to advance specific recommendations. 

 This committee should include Government, university, and industry members. 

 Its task should not take more than 6 months, both because longer time is not 

 necessary and because the Nation cannot spare more time. 



Congress and the public have a right to demand resolution of expressed doubts 

 and dii3:erences of opinion as to national policy, budget, and organization; but, 

 we must guard against any slackening in determination to enhance the ability 

 of the United States to master the ocean for the food of mankind while we are 

 sorting out our problems and mechanics of organization. 



In reviewing the vast quantity of study material, I found some 16 objectives 

 relevant to our national interests : 



1. Increase the Nation's security from enemy sea or undersea attack, and to 

 maintain the potency of a Polaris-type deterrent force. 



2. Improve international trade and commerce and safeguard them from dis- 

 ruption in the event of a national emergency. 



3. Improve understanding of weather phenomenon and the accuracy of long- 

 range forecasts. 



4. Comprehend changes in climate of world significance. 



5. Afford greater protection to lives and property from ocean-bred wind and 

 waves. 



6. Restore and expand domestic fisheries and reduce costs to both fishermen 

 and consumers. 



7. Through aquaculture, to alleviate protein deficiency elsewhere in the world. 



8. Identify ocean mineral deposits and develop methods for recovery and 

 processing. 



9. Expand knowledge of fossil fuels that lie beneath the oceans. 



10. Diminish dangers of pollution from atomic, industrial, or domestic waste. 



11. Facilitate discovery of new medical and pharmacological weapons in the 

 war against disease. 



12. Safeguard waterfront property from beach erosion. 



13. Diminish damage to docks, piers, and ships from marine borers and fouling 

 organisms. 



14. Protect and enrich all kinds of seashore recreation, so important in a 

 nation of increasing urban population. 



15. Provide a rational basis for international agreements and domestic regu- 

 lation in ownership, transit, fishing, and mineral rights. 



16. Strengthen basic research, using the sea as a laboratory for extending 

 knowledge of the world around us. 



Mr. Chairman, I have had the opportunity of firsthand discussion of many 

 of these points with the director and staff at the Institute of Marine Science at 



