MARINE SCIENCE 101 



(2) In order to elucidate the problem of population fluctuations of commer- 

 cial fish stocks, which in larj>re part is due to variable infant mortality, labora- 

 tory studies of the survival requirements of larval and juvenile stages of 

 commercially important fish and shellfish are needed urgently. 



(3) There is an urgent need for facilities for studies of fish behavior in the 

 laboratory under controlled conditions. This will require aquarium facilities 

 of sizable physical dimensions. 



(4) Greater attention should be given to studies of the genetics of fish and 

 other marine organisms. 



(5) Investigations should be made of the feasibility of adding nutrients to 

 the euphotic zone of the sea in order to increase the productivity of marine 

 organisms. 



(6) A program to investigate the possibilities of transplanting useful or- 

 ganisms from one region of the sea to another should be conducted. 



(7) More research is needed on the nature of the aggregations of organisms 

 in the sea. 



(8) Biological surveys in the seas should be intensified and programs should 

 be initiated, aimed at utilizing new devices such as unmanned buoys and the 

 mesoscaph. 



(9) A data center for all oceanographic research should be established for 

 the storage, routine processing and "read-out" of such information as sea sur- 

 face temperatures, currents and meteorological data. This data center would 

 not perform the functions of more specialized computing centers such as will 

 be required for oceanographic forecasting. 



(10) There is a need for scientific, sociological and engineering studies di- 

 rected toward the wider utilization of marine products in protein-deficient areas 

 of the world. 



(11) There is a pressing need for studies of the economic and legal aspects of 

 commercial fisheries, especially in comparison with other industries, in order to 

 provide a basis for national policy decisions. 



(12) A scientific study of salt water fish pond culture should be started, 

 aimed at providing a basis for greatly increasing the efficiency and productivity 

 of this industry and thereby increasing the protein food supplies in protein- 

 deficient areas such as southeast Asia. 



(13) Many aspects of the potential mineral resources on the deep sea floor 

 should be investigated. Such work should be supported through the Bureau of 

 Mines. 



(14) An expanded program of estuarine research is recommended in order that 

 we can make most effective use of this habitat of important resident stocks of 

 food fish and shellfish and the nursery areas for other stocks which are later 

 harvested from the open ocean. 



(15) Many lines of marine research depend upon precise definition of species. 

 The study of species is centered in research museums which generally have been 

 supported very poorly. It is recommended that established museums having 

 significant study collections be given financial support so that this kind of work 

 can be carried forward. 



(16) It is recommended that a program on diseases and other toxic effects in 

 the marine environment be established. 



The proposed budgets for these recommendations are given in tables 14, 15, 

 and 16. The mineral resources investigation should be sponsored by the Bureau 

 of Mines with the balance being supported by the Bureau of Commercial Fish- 

 eries through grants, contracts and in its own laboratories and with the assist- 

 ance of other branches of the Department of the Interior. ProgTams involving 

 international cooperation and technical assistance to other countries budgeted 

 under this heading should be supported at least in part by the International 

 Cooperation Administration and the State Department. 



