246 



Another purpose of our oceanographic eflForts of course is to en- 

 courage international cooperation. This is obviously an activity which 

 is going to require the participation of many nations and represents 

 a very excellent way in which we can build bridges between nations. 



In the commissioning of the Oceanographer by the President, he in- 

 dicated that he was very much interested in building up this kind of 

 international cooperation. This is one of the purposes of the 

 expendition. 



Mr, Pelly. I can see that is very important, but I think you will 

 agree that we have an awful lot of work to be done right here close 

 in our own waters. It would seem to indicate that we have to stretch 

 ourselves pretty thin in order to participate in international affairs. It 

 leaves us rather inadequately staffed and equipped to take care of all we 

 have ahead of us in your program. 



Dr. White. Yes, sir. It is clear that one must be very judicious in 

 "the deployment of the resources we have. Our problems in our own 

 waters are overwhelmingly large. On the other hand, the oceans are 

 global in nature. In order to understand the current systems that flow 

 along the Pacific Coast, it is necessary to understand the current sys- 

 tems of the entire Pacific Basin because they are interlinked. It is very 

 meaningful for us to do things far from our shores. 



Mr. Pelly. I was particularly gratified to know you are not neglect- 

 ing Alaska. I say that for the benefit of my colleague here. I did find 

 out you are doing work on the Continental Shelf there. I think that is 

 very important. 



Dr. White. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Kogers. Mr. Pollock. 



Mr. Pollock. Mr. Chairman, thank you. 



Dr. White, I have several comments. First, I would like to saj^ I was 

 at the Palmer, Alaska, dedication of the new Tsunami warning system 

 there and very delighted to see that. I think the vital center is in 

 Honolulu. 



Dr. White. The major center is at Honolulu. 



Mr. Pollock. I wanted to follow up on two matters my good col- 

 league from Washington talked about, the VFH-FM marine weather 

 broadcasting stations and the 6-hour general area forecasts to support 

 commercial fishing. I am w^ondering why all of them seem to be on 

 the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico and none on the Pacific side and 

 at San Juan. 



Dr. White. Our future plans call for the establishment of such 

 marine centers on the Pacific Coast and Alaska. 



Mr. Pollock. Could you provide for the record the schedule of your 

 programing? 



Dr. White. I can do that, sir. 



(The information follows :) 



The FY 1968 Congressional budget contains funds for staffing a Marine Fore- 

 cast Center at San Francisco. Services would include weather and wind wave 

 information for commercial fishing. Present plans are to establish a Marine 

 Forecast Center at Anchorage in 1969 if funds are available which would pro- 

 vide services in support of commercial fishing, including wind wave information. 

 In succeeding years, VHF-FM stations are planned for Juneau, Yakutat, 

 Anchorage, Cordova, Kodiak, King Salmon, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Seward. 



