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and the marine sciences. Although the programs and activities of the Department 

 of Health, Education, and Welfare in this field are to a considerable degree not 

 specifically targeted on marine science, we believe that they are both significant 

 and highly worthwhile. 



I will first describe the activities of the Department, then dwell in more detail 

 on current developments in marine toxicology and pharmacology, in which I 

 have personally been involved. 



I might say at the outset that we in DHEW have now for some time partici- 

 pated in a most fruitful exchange of information with and through the Marine 

 Sciences Council and its staff. This has given better coordination of our efforts 

 with those of other Departments. It has also helped us to sharpen and expand 

 our own activities. 



As you know, the participation of the Department of Health, Education, and 

 Welfare in activities related to the sea is particularly appropriate in the light 

 of the traditional and historical role of the Public Health Service, which began 

 as the United States Marine Hospital Service in 1789. Today, of the approxi- 

 mately 400,000 persons eligible for direct medical treatment in Public Health 

 Service facilities, most are merchant seamen ; members of the Coast Guard 

 and the Coast and Geodetic Survey and their dependents are also eligible. The 

 Public Health Service provides the medical staffing for the Coast Guard. It is 

 also noteworthy that the Public Health Service has had responsibility for quar- 

 antine activities since 1878 : and these activities have related historically in 

 large part to transportation by sea. 



Quite appropriately, then, it is in the Public Health Service that the Depart- 

 ment carries on the principal portion of its activities related to the marine 

 sciences. The Public Health Service carries on marine science activities both in 

 its Bureau of Disease Prevention and Environmental Control — as a part of the 

 Water Supply and Sea Resources Program — and in the National Institutes of 

 Health. 



The program of the Water Supply and Sea Resources Program is a direct part 

 of marine science and technology. Historically oriented toward shellfish and the 

 prevention of the transmission of disease and poisons to man through the con- 

 sumption of shellfish, the program today is being substantially broadened to 

 include fish and the more basic research necessary to an understanding of 

 poisons and diseases found in the marine environment and their transmission 

 through the food chain. 



Among its principal responsibilities, the sea resources program is responsible 

 for monitoring shellfish growing areas and certifying that the products of these 

 areas meet health standards. On the request and at the expense of certain for- 

 eign governments, this service is being performel abroad with respect to shellfish 

 to be imported into this country. 



Research and technological effort is carried on both inhouse and at universities 

 and other organizations under grant and contract. Subject matter ranges from 

 hasic work on the identity and characteristics of marine toxins, through re- 

 search into the environment of shellfish-growing areas and the development of 

 standards for the treatment of wastes discharging into estuaries, to the develop- 

 ment of techniques for the depuration and handling of shellfish. The program 

 provides technical assistance in eliminating pollution and the reopening of shell- 

 fish growing areas. In recent times, attention has been given to the gonyaulax 

 and ciguatera toxins ; to botulism occurring in connection with the preservation 

 and packaging of smoked fish, as well as the presence in estuaries of Clostridium 

 Botulinum and other toxin-forming species ; and to salmonellosis. 



The Program maintains three specialised lahoratory facilities, the Northeast 

 Marine Health Sciences Laboratory at Narragansett, Rhode Island; the Gulf 

 Coast Marine Health Sciences Laboratory at Dauphin Island, Alabama ; and the 

 Pacific Northwest Marine Health Sciences Lahoratory at Gig Harbor, Wash- 

 ington. The latter is the newest and smallest of these activities, but has the 

 advantage of location near the University of Washington, which I understand 

 is undertaking planning for a significant marine science effort. 



The Program also is supporting the education and training of manpower in 

 the field. In 1967 training was provided for 125 administrators involved in shell- 

 fish sanitation. A small number of research training grants were also made 

 available. 



As you will have noticed, the activities of the Program have a dual aspect. 

 On the one hand, they promote the health of the public through the prevention 



