268 



Chapter VI 

 IMPLEMENTING SEA GRANT LEGISLATION 



Perspective 



Tho National Sea Grant College and Program Act of 1966 estab- 

 lished a new instrument for strengthening the b;ise of sptH*ialized 

 education and ocean enginctxring reswirch, and for improving com- 

 numication of scientilic or technological results to many marine science 

 intei-ests lacking I heir own ivsearch (capabilities. Tliis Act is one of 

 the areas of special emphasis selected by tlu* (Council and will be 

 implemented by the National Science Foundation as soon as aiilliori- 

 zation to uso fiscal year 1967 fimds for tliis pui^post^ is stuMired from 

 the C'Ongress. 



It is widely agreed that advances in science and technology depend 

 on skilled mani)Ower. In recent years, the Federal Government has 

 assumed major responsibility — through a variety of fellowships, 

 traineeships, and research and institutional grants — to support train- 

 ing and education in many technical fields, thus increasing the flow 

 of new scientists and engineers to meet national needs. This Federal 

 policy has strengthened the marine sciences. Professional manpower 

 in marine sciences in 1961 was limited, totaling only 600 persons, 

 trained mostly in a variety of classical disciplines, and in ocean- 

 ography. Accordingly, special steps were taken in 1961 by several 

 Federal agencies to expand the opportimities at univei-sities fpr stu- 

 dents, teachers, and graduate research. Today, profe-ssiohal man- 

 power numbers 2,600 and nearly 1,000 individuals are enrolle<l in 

 marine science curriculums in more than fifty colleges and universities. 



It has become increasingly apparent, however, that this support 

 of marine science was not adequately complemented by parallel sup- 

 port for the training of engineei"s who would engage in marine work. 

 It also became apparent that applied marine research was not, being 

 supported adequately, compared to basic marine research. Finally, 

 in the context of the broadened emphasis ])eing placed on the civilian 

 as well as military importance of using the seas, there was a conspicu- 

 ous gap in the important process of information transfer between the 

 Federal Government, States, departments within academic institu- 

 tions, and certain sectors of industry. 



