1033 
The information gap between taxonomy and the programmatic marine sciences 
is widening in inverse proportion to the increase in support of oceanography 
and the related marine sciences. This incongruity can be understood only if one 
measures available resources in taxonomy against the growing demand for 
taxonomic data. The increase in oceanographic activity within the last decade, 
including the increase in the number of collections of marine organisms made 
from oceanographic ships, has resulted in a tremendous and still growing back- 
logue of specimens waiting to be identified and classified. At the same time, 
our national resources for taxonomy have not increased to any appreciable 
extent. Today the front line of taxonomists is a thin one indeed. Even within 
the Smithsonian Institution, with its relatively large concentration of competent 
taxonomic scientists as well as with its Oceanographic Sorting Center, it is 
not possible to keep up with the demand for taxonomic information. As a con- 
sequence, our country is unable to derive the benefits it should from the very 
substantial investment in terms of dollars and manpower in the acquisition of 
collections and oceanographic data. 
Indeed, the world situation with regard to taxonomy is not an encouraging 
one. Until such time as we recognize taxonomy’s essential role and provide the 
necessary resources commensurate with its high priority, we will find it ever 
more difficult to achieve some of our important objectives in marine science and 
technology * * * Increased support, for the urgently needed training of addi- 
tional taxonomists as well as for taxonomical research, both in the Smithsonian 
Institution and in universities around the country, is the only reasonable solu- 
tion to a most serious but little understood problem. 
The Smithsonian Institution as one of the remaining bastions of 
systematics research has been emphasizing the need for its own staff 
to educate its successors. We are fortunate in having graduate 
students in residence for work on degrees to be awarded by various 
universities. The problem of financial support for graduates is, how- 
ever, a real one, deserving of national attention. 
I might add parenthetically, Mr. Chairman, that the Secretary has 
seen fit to reiterate the statement that I had the honor of making as 
a private citizen before this subcommittee earlier this year. 
I don’t think that I need to reread it at this particular juncture, but 
merely to emphasize again, in connection with the question that was 
raised earlier this morning by the chairman relating to the long lead 
time in working up data that had been collected in the Navy (and I 
might say this extends to other agencies as well), that we must rec- 
ognize that one reason for that long lead time is the very few sys- 
tematists that are available today to work up the tremendous mass of 
material that is increasing constantly as we get more and more in- 
volved in oceanic exploration and technology. 
Mr. Chairman, I can summarize the Smithsonian Institution’s com- 
mitment to increase our knowledge of the oceans by quoting from 
President Nixon’s speech delivered in Miami on October 10, 1968: 
* * * three questions must be answered before we can realistically begin the 
exploration of inner space: First, what can we expect to find there? Second, how 
much of what we find there can we realistically expect to exploit for man’s use? 
Third, what policies must we pursue ot carry out best a program of exploitation 
and investigation? The answer to the first question is as complex as it is exciting. 
The President went on to say: 
* * %* the benefits of the sea will come to us only from sustained and precise 
investigation of this complex and hostile environment. 
The Smithsonian is hoping, in seeking answers to the first question, 
to assist in finding the answers to questions two and three. 
That, Mr. Chairman, is the prepared statement. 
Mr. Lennon. Thank you, Doctor. 
