749 
ing development is concerned, would the functions that you mention 
be fulfilled by NOAA as it is presently envisaged? How do these 
functions relate to the needs of other uses of the oceans, to the best 
of your knowledge? 
Mr. Wueaton. The Commission proposed that NOAA be given a 
technology development function. The function should include Dr. 
Kavanaugh’s four points indicated at the close of my statement. The 
key to a successful technology advancement program is protection of 
the funds for engineering development from the operational needs of 
the mission oriented groups in NOAA, as we have done with our R&D 
divisions in industry. An alternative, assuring protection of the tech- 
nology advancement budget, would be to fund the technology group 
under NACO, as I indicated in my response to question 3. Agency 
mission needs must not be allowed to override the goal of advancing 
ocean technology as NASA allowed its operational missions to retard 
its basic assignment—advancement of fundamental technology in aero- 
nautics and space. 
In either event, the technology development function is critical to 
the effective development of the oceans as a resource by the users of 
the oceans. Examples of the needs of others which could be met are 
an order of magnitude improvement in capability for such a key mis- 
sion as exploration, including the U.S. government survey function 
for both minerals and fish; a great improvement in weather forecast- 
ing; and significantly lower costs for ocean operations such as map- 
ping and oceanographic research. In addition, spin-off to both mili- 
tary and commercial operations could be expected from the resultant 
advanced technology. 
Mr. Lennon. Can an effective program including research, data col- 
lection, data dissemination, and technological advances, be effectively 
developed without a new organization for government? If so, how 
should it be done ? 
Mr. Wuearon. I do not think a really effective program in these 
areas can be achieved without a change in the existing situation, at 
least. to the step of creation of NACO and the technology develop- 
ment group. However, organization per se is not a panacea. What is 
needed is the formation of a critical mass of competent personnel with 
a clearly stated direction of purpose and sufficient funds to do the 
job. 
Mr. Lennon. Assuming that NOAA were not to be established, how 
could industry mobilize to achieve the necessary goals? 
Mr. Wuearon. Industry responds to the profit motive and a proper 
economic and political environment. NOAA was proposed to fulfill 
government. functions which are not the province of industry. The 
creation of NACO, a formation of an adequately funded technology 
development group, plus a pronouncement by the President that the 
United States has adopted a set of national goals in the oceans could 
goa long way toward providing the environment required for industry 
and the states to step-up their oceanic activities. I believe this could 
accomplish much of what the Commission intended. But, because the 
industry is in an infant state, the above steps should be viewed as the 
very minimum required to start to open the ‘potential benefits of the 
oceans to mankind. 
