42 THE NAVY OCEAN SCIENCE PROGRAM 



problems because they light up when disturbed. A surfaced sub- 

 marine at night may be surroxinded by a brilliantly glowing 

 halo of foam. Such bioluminescence can sometimes be seen for 

 miles. Research includes identification of the organisms, survey 

 of their distribution, and study of the internal mechanism that 

 pertains to luminescence, its prevention, avoidance of stimula- 

 tion, or other control measures. 



Many marine organisms, especially in warm water, Eire 

 venomous. Upon being touched, they transfer, through various 

 organs, substances that cause irritation, pain, or more serious 

 consequences. Personnel in the water may be hampered or 

 seriously affected. Study of pathology and development of treat- 

 ment depend on identifying the organism and understanding its 

 particular venom. Most of the research is done by specialists in 

 different groups who are supported on a part-time basis by the 

 Navy in projects to obtain special information or select and 

 compile information available to them and put it in a usable form. 



Tropical fish are the most important of the poisonous orga- 

 nisms. Some are regularly eaten, either with some organs 

 removed, or prepared in certain ways. They are therefore a 

 potential hazard to Navy personnel recently arrived in a tropical 

 area and fond of fish. As in the studies on all other marine orga- 

 nisms, it is necessary to identify each species, learn where and 

 when it occurs, provide means of recognizing and avoiding it, 

 and collect information on the conditions, if any, under which it 

 can be safely eaten. 



Research on protection of personnel against predatory animals 

 basically consists of determining how to avoid needless exposure 

 to danger, how to escape an attack or threatened attack, and how 

 to exclude or drive away the dangerous animals. Studies have 

 resulted in providing recognition criteria, charts of distribution, 

 and critical summaries of accumulated experience of divers 

 and others. One application from these investigations had led 

 to a "plastic shark bag." A survivor can climb into the bag, 

 thereby preventing body fluids and other attractants from being 

 dispersed into the water. Preliminary tests are being made to 

 determine the effectiveness of the bag. 



