ANNOTATED ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 

 of 

 MARINE SCIENCE RELATED ACTIVITIES 



Revised by Charlotte M. Ashby and Alan R. Flesh 



National Oceanographic Data Center 



Environmental Data and Information Service 



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 



INTRODUCTION 



One of the more fascinating aspects of compiling this publica- 

 tion was the realization of the growth of interests in marine sci- 

 ences, especially during the past decade. Dates of origin of the 

 many agencies show this growth. The increase in the number of ac- 

 ronyms and abbreviations in use since the first and second edition 

 of Annotated Acronyms and Abbreviations appeared in 1969 and 1976 

 is another indication. The varied organizations involved show the 

 changes in the concept of oceanographic sciences. In the beginning 

 years, it was knowledge for the sake of knowledge; in recent years, 

 it is application of knowledge acquired for many and varied pur- 

 poses. 



Changes in man's approach to the environment are also apparent 

 from this compilation: from the initial use of the environment for 

 economic purposes to a realization that the environment must at the 

 same time be preserved and protected. 



Two general suggestions were made following publication of the 

 second edition: that addresses and that national acronyms and abbre- 

 viations should be included. Time did not permit the inclusion of 

 both in this third edition. Because the librarians and other members 

 of the newly-formed Marine Science Librarians Association (now the 

 International Association of Marine Science Libraries and Information 

 Centers, lAMSLIC) requested that national acronyms be included, we 

 considered this request more important and have done so. 



The present edition includes descriptive entries and indexes to 

 acronyms and abbreviations that are listed alphabetically by title 

 and by acronym/ abbreviation. The descriptive entries are grouped 

 into two major chapters: international and national. To show per- 

 tinent relationships, a single descriptive entry may include two or 

 more acronyms or abbreviations. 



Sources for information include newsletters, minutes of meetings, 

 annual reports, journal articles, and correspondence from users of 

 the second edition. We wish particularly to acknowledge the assist- 

 ance of the staff of UNESCO's Division of Marine Science who made 

 substantive changes and additions. 



