1019 
We all recognize that that can’t be done, for a variety of reasons. 
So I do want to emphasize that in our consideration of NOAA we 
certainly are not considering that all aspects of the marine sciences 
would be welded into one unit. 
Dr. McExroy. I submit that that is correct. Yes, sir. 
Mr. Mosurr. Now, in the Commission report one of the things 
emphasized most frequently was the lack presently, the lack of any 
center of support and responsibility for the development of civilian 
technology in the oceans. 
This is a serious lack at the present. There is no one Government 
agency that is given the job of developing the basic technology that is 
so needed. 
I judge from your testimony that, since you are not in favor of 
NOAA, where the Commission would put it, you would put that re- 
sponsibility in the Interior Department. Is that what you are saying ? 
Dr. McEnroy. Yes, sir. 
I might add, Mr. Mosher, and if you would like to ask Mr. Abel in 
detail about this, you may, that although it is a modest program, 
I think we are moving significantly along that line in the sea grant 
college program where we are trying to get industry and the univer- 
sity people concerned with marine technology together. We have made 
some very interesting starts along this line, and I think Interior in 
effect could take off from there and move ahead. I think at the same 
time they would be wise if they made use of certain aspects of the 
Navy’s great technology capability in the ocean. 
Admittedly there has been some coordination in this area in making 
use of that capability. 
I think if Interior were directed and given the funds to do this, 
I have confidence that they could do it. I do not believe they have 
been given that directive yet. 
Mr. Mosuer. I think private industry, itself, has taken a lot of 
very interesting, commendable initiatives in the development of basic 
technology, but obviously the capital costs involved, the investments 
involved m some technology that is needed are not going to be risked 
by private industry. The Government is going to have to do the job. 
Now, turning to your assistant there, Bob, I certainly didn’t under- 
stand that you were given a mission nor the sea grant program was 
given the mission to do that job. It must be in a very miniscule and 
primitive way that you are moving in that direction because you 
certainly don’t have the funds. Tah ESS 
I don’t think you were given that responsibility or that mission. 
I don’t think you have the authority or the responsibility that was 
contemplated in the Commission’s report, and that we consider im- 
portant, to enter into contracts with private laboratories and with 
Government laboratories or with private industry, to enter into con- 
tracts for the development of hardware and that sort of thing. 
You aren’t in that business at all, are you? 
Dr. Aner. According to the act, Mr. Mosher, we are theoretically 
permitted to work with public and private organizations. In actuality, 
of course, there are certain problems attendant upon such arrange- 
ments, and the National Science Foundation has refined the role of 
the sea grant program toward implementation of applied research 
working primarily with the universities and colleges. This 1s, after all, 
26-563 —70—pt. 2 —33 
