242 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



Dr. HoLLOMON. I would like to take the initiative to introduce 

 another study that we have had underway, just completed, which is a 

 study, with full participation of the other agencies in the letting of 

 the contract and analysis of what is to be done, that has taken about 

 18 months, on how to carry out in the most efficient way ocean surveys. 



And here you have a problem, of course. You have that vast ocean, 

 and that vast Continental Shelf. What is the most efficient way to 

 do this ? How many stations ? How much observation ? What size 

 ships, how you deploy them ? Do you use ocean buoys or do you use 

 ships ? What is the most effective way to carry out such studies, and 

 at what time ? 



We have just gotten the results of it. It is a major analysis carried 

 on by the Operations Research, Inc., of the operational problems, if 

 you will, having to do with ocean surveys, and that is another analysis 

 which is partly pertinent to the question of the Continental Shelf. 



Mr. Keith. When jrou say "physical oceanography," I think you 

 mean chemical, biological, and geological oceanography, as well, be- 

 cause all are a part of descriptive oceanography, as you speak of it. 



Every Government department with a major interest in oceanog- 

 raphy has as an internal part of the overall program a large program 

 for descriptive oceanography. By the general import of your state- 

 ment are you not suggesting, then, that these Government departments 

 now look to ESS A for information in descriptive oceanography, and 

 discontinue their own descriptive oceanographic programs ? 



Dr. HoLLOMON. No, sir. What I am saying is that we have the 

 concept in this field, as what I would refer to as a core program, that 

 program which provides the overall leadership and coordination of 

 that aspect of the problem, and that each agency then would have to 

 do those special studies which they believe are absolutely essential to 

 their mission, and then we provide a mechanism of coordination 

 through an activity such as ICO, to be sure that the studies are, in 

 fact, coordinated. 



Mr. Keith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Lennon. Mr. Dow? 



,Mr. Dow. I think I am out of turn here. I believe that Mr. 

 Downing would be next. 



Mr. Downing. Go ahead. 



Mr. Dow. All right. 



I would like to compliment you, Dr. Hollomon, on a very good 

 expression of your convictions and a very thoughtful presentation. 

 I am sure you are familiar with H.R. 2218. 



Dr. HoLLOMON. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Dow. Which is the bill that you mentioned yourself in your 

 presentation. 



Now, section 5 of that bill says that the President shall report an- 

 nually during the month of February to the Congress. Such reports 

 shall contain the following, and that is a general review of the prob- 

 lems of oceanography, in the year, a general analysis, a financial analy- 

 sis, and also current and future plans and policies of the United States 

 with respect to oceanography. 



Do you believe, sir, that it would be advisable to have such an annual 

 stocktaking as this represents, coupled with recommendations for the 

 coming year ? 



