466 



Scientists have in fact a long tradition of sharing information, although the 

 Tast quantities of data accumulated and the limitations on their processing and 

 interpretations often delay their dissemination and use. The best means of insur- 

 ing that there is a flow of scientific information is actual participation in scien- 

 tific projects and continued support for existing scientific mechanisms for the 

 exchange of data, such as the World Data Center System and the World Weather 

 Watch. New means of data acquisition, such as Earth Resource Survey Satellites, 

 may offer new opportunities for international cooperation and sharing of bene- 

 fits as they fulfill their promise. 



In our view this Subcommittee should draw upon the experience and knowledge 

 of other bodies, such as the specialized agencies and intergovernmental organiza- 

 tions, in performing its work. Resolution 2750 (C) invites inter alia, the 100 to 

 cooperate fully with the Seabed Committee, in particular by preparing such scien- 

 tific and technical documentation as the Committee may request. We favor taking 

 full advantage of this suggestion. Similarly, the Committee may well wish to draw 

 upon the FAO. IMCO, and the Human Environmental Secretariats for stipport. 



In this connection, it would be most helpful to our work if the Secretariat would 

 provide each of the members of this Committee with copies of treaties and other 

 basic documents produced by other international And intergovernmental organiza- 

 tions concerned with marine pollution and scientific research. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. STEVEisrsoTsT. Thank yon, Mr. Chairman, 



President N"ixon's proposals regarding the seabeds beyond the limits 

 of national jurisdiction are also relevant. The Draft Convention on 

 the International Seabed Area submitted by the United States as a 

 working paper last August to the U.N. Seabeds Committee provides 

 that "all activities in the International Seabed Area shall be conducted 

 Tvith strict and adequate safeguards for the ]:>rotect.ion of human life 

 and safety and of the marine en"\dronment." The draft contains regu- 

 latory provisions to further these ends and contains provisions for 

 compulsory settlem.ent of disputes. Accordingly, international means 

 ■would be available to insure that all seabed activities, including dump- 

 ing, are conducted in agreement with the requirement that there h& 

 strict and adequate safeguards for the protection of the marine 

 environment. 



An International Working Group on Marine Pollution has been 

 established by the Preparatory Committee for the 1972 United Nations 

 Conference on the Human Environment. The Working Group will 

 prepare a marine pollution agenda submission for the Conference. This 

 will probably include proposals that nations ban the dumping of cer- 

 tain harmful substances in the ocean and adopt systems for the regu- 

 lation of ocean dumping. 



Work is also under way in the NATO Committee on the Challenges 

 of jSIodem Society and the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative 

 Organization. The latter is preparing for a 1973 Conference to ban all 

 intentional discharges into the seas by ships of oil, oily wastes, and 

 other noxious substances. 



Accordingly, I am confident that in the next few years we will see 

 major international developments banning the ocean disposal of toxic 

 industrial wastes, highly radioactive materials, heavy metals, chemical 

 warfare agents, as well as tlie setting of international standards to 

 prevent damage to the marine environment from exploration and ex- 

 ploitation of the seabed. 



I strongly urge the adoption of this comprehensive ocean dumping 

 bill — ^the Marine Protection Act of 1971 — as an important domestic 



