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In regard to our responsibility for the health of the Nation’s scientific research 
and the educational activities required to advance our research potential, the 
Foundation has in the past, and plans in the future, to carry out its responsibili- 
ties in this area with all the resources that can be allocated to well-balanced 
national scientific research programs. The marine programs in the Founda- 
tion are substantial and we are making every effort to implement those Com- 
mission recommendations that we are not already accomplishing. The Foundation 
has substantial programs covering the fields of physical, chemical, geological, 
and biological oceanography, and we have fields of marine-related engineering, 
including hydrodynamics, sediment processes, materials development, and instru- 
mentation. These programs could be expanded if the national interest required it. 
I believe that one of the major reasons for the Commission’s recommendations 
with respect to ‘“University/National Laboratories” was to assure greater sta- 
bility and flexibility in Federal funding. In this connection, I would point out 
that the Foundation has, since 1966, provided “block funding” for ships and 
facilities at major oceanographic institutions. 
With respect to the Commission’s recommendations concerning coastal zone 
laboratories, I am pleased to relate that the Foundation’s National Sea Grant 
Program has initiated activities in that form, without being so titled, are in 
fact coastal zone laboratory-types of operations. The concept of multidisciplinary 
approaches to the coastal zone problem is inherent in the Sea Grant mission, 
and the program moved in this direction well before the Commission recommenda- 
tions were formulated. Some institutions receiving Sea Grant support are already 
de facto coastal zone laboratories. Some of the Sea Grant multidisciplinary 
project grants were made for this exact purpose. I might also be noted that the 
Sea Grant Program is already funding basic engineering studies consistent with 
the Commission’s recommendation for fundamental technology development and 
is heavily involved in the aquacultural research recommended by the Commission. 
With respect to extension services, the Sea Grant Program is entering into 
agreements with the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Commerce, to 
further expand and improve existing extension services in the marine area. 
I firmly believe that the Commission’s organizational recommendations must 
be considered in the context of the total Federal structure for the future, par- 
ticularly with regard to science, technology, and education. Scientific research 
and education rank high in our national priorities, and our government must. be 
efficiently and logically organized to serve all areas, not only marine-related 
areas, for our future well being. Therefore, at least for the short term, I believe 
that organizing around our strongest existing marine-related areas of strength 
would quickly serve our national need without disruption of on-going activities. 
The programs of the lead agencies in the categories I have outlined could be co- 
ordinated easily with the Departments of Defense and State. 
We recognize the oceans as one of Man’s great resources. We recognize our 
responsibility for developing a better understanding of the oceans; we have pur- 
sued this responsibility vigorously in the past; and we are pursuing this respon- 
sibility now with well outlined plans for the future. We recognize your responsi- 
bility and applaud the action you have taken to render our extension into the sea 
more effective. I offer you my utmost cooperation, and desire to work with you to 
assure that our Nation makes effective use of the sea. 
This concludes my prepared statement, Mr. Chairman, and I shall be pleased 
to answer the questions that you and your Committee have. 
Mr. Lennon. Doctor, on page 1 of your statement, in the last three 
lines you say: 
Oceanic development can contribute to our economic growth, international 
cooperation, and our prestige among the nations of the world. 
To what degree, doctor, do you think that this oceanic develop- 
ment can contribute to our prestige among the nations of the world, 
to what degree related to other efforts that we are in now? 
Dr. McEtroy. I speak to this from a somewhat prejudiced view- 
point. I happen to believe that if we can take the leadership in food 
resources and food development in the ocean by trying to demonstrate 
how we can increase the production from the ocean in regard to fish 
and other edible foods, we can make a contribution to other countries. 
This increases our prestige. 
