834 
versation and persuasion that we had to use to try to convince the 
executive branch that in our judgment at least the establishment of 
the national council was essential, and it took a lot of doing. You 
remember that. You participated in it. 
Dr. Wenx. I do, Mr. Chairman, and if I may say, you were most 
persuasive. 
Mr. Lennon. I think you would have to admit that what glamor 
has come to the marine scientist, that 1s, in national and international 
image, has come out of two things: establishment of this national 
council and what it has done, and the creation and subsequent appoint- 
ment by the President of this commission and this report. 
Just assume now that we had said, yes, we will go along with the 
executive branch of the Government and not include in Public Law 
89-454 the establishment of the national council. Where do you think 
we would be today ? 
Dr. Wen. Well, I must say, Mr. Chairman, I do not believe that 
we would have been as far along if we had not had the council. 
Mr. Lennon. You see, you must admit that sometimes Members 
of the Congress react generally to the thinking of the. people of this 
country as well as the executive branch of this country. I am just think- 
ing as you sit here this morning, giving me your views, which I have 
read on through the balance of your statement, we have to make a 
decision, or if we don’t, follow what the administration has suggested. 
Now, if we followed only what the administration not only suggested 
but insisted on, we would not be where we are today. 
T think you would have to agree with that. Maybe not for the record, 
but go ahead. 
Dr. WenK. Even for the record, Mr. Chairman, I would agree. 
Mr. Lennon. Go right ahead. 
Dr. Wenx. Well, the case you made in 1966 was most persuasive 
and, as you know, the consequence was the enactment of Public Law 
89-454. 
COUNCIL ACTIVITIES 
Tn order that you mav have a better basis for vour evaluation of the 
commission’s organizational recomendations. I would like to bring 
you up-to-date on some of the council’s recent activities. 
Specifically, the council has considered such policy issues as: 
1. Steps to encourage the States and regions to carry out more ef- 
fective programs of planned use of our coastal zone, to take into ac- 
count the more intensive, varied uses of a limited shoreline. 
2. New measures to reduce pollution and insure safety of life and 
property as maritime activities and congestion increase along our 
coasts and on the high seas. 
3. Strengthening the harvesting sector of the domestic seafood in- 
dustry, which in many areas cannot succesfully compete with foreign 
fishing fleets. 
4. Advancing the development of fish protein concentrate tech- 
nology as an integral part of the food-from-the-sea program to help 
meet worldwide malnutrition. 
5. Preparing for development and redevelopment of our ports and 
harbors, which are too often characterized by obsolescent facilities 
and waterfront slums. 
