and holders of classified data to ensure compatibility with the holdings of the 
National center. Even at present, there may be a serious problem from the 
standpoint of merging classified with nonclassified data in times of a National 
emergency. 
I do not believe that data should be acquired in realtime by the proposed na- 
tional marine data center. Such data should flow to the center after the primary 
use; namely, forecasting had been satisfied. Ultimately it may prove desirable 
to merge realtime and historical centers. In the meantime, however, the activities 
of both should be closely coordinated, possibly by being structured within the 
same agency. 
We now exchange the classical types of oceanographic data directly with for- 
eign national and regional centers and through the mechanism of World Data 
Center-A, Oceanography which is collocated with NODC. I believe that exchange 
of data on the international level would be further facilitated if there were a 
single center for all marine data disciplines. Procurement of foreign data yields 
high returns for a low investment. As an example more than three-quarters of 
the data in the NODC station data file contains foreign data which are used 
over and over again by U.S. organizations. The Scientific Committee on Oceanic 
Research (SCOR) of the International Council of Scientific Unions has even 
suggested that there be an expansion of the functions and capabilities of one 
or more national centers, with increased international support and responsibility. 
This recommendation is based on the expected ‘“‘flood of data’ which could result 
as international programs are expanded. 
I believe, Mr. Chairman, that a national marine data center should continue 
the concept of an interagency advisory board. Such a board provides the mech- 
anism for responsiveness to all segments of the user community-government agen- 
cies, academic and private research institutions and industry. 
As previously mentioned, Mr. Chairman, the Commission recommended that 
there be more than one data center. To quote again from their report: 
“The great variety in quantity, quality, and uses of these data suggests that 
total environmental data cannot be handled readily by a single center and that 
a number of centers will be necessary for the foreseeable future. At the same 
time, overall policy direction of the different centers is needed to define clearly 
their responsibilities and relationships in order to prevent redundancies and gaps 
in the system and to determine priorities.” 
I do believe, with advances in computer and communications technology, that 
a monolithic National environmental data center seems inevitable. But it should 
be approached cautiously and within the framework of a ‘phased development.” 
Merging of data functions at too early a stage could generate adverse impacts 
on a data system for the marine sciences. Oceanographic interests could be sub- 
jugated by demands from more pressing priorities. 
Mr. Chairman, in summary, I believe that whatever the future Federal frame- 
work for oceanography, the following proposals should be seriously considered 
with respect to the management of marine data: 
1. Data management functions be merged to create a single identifiable 
national marine data center. F 
2. Data generated as part of mission oriented activities, especially geo- 
physical data, be transferred to the national marine data center once they 
have served their primary use. 
3. The national marine data center would coordinate closely with the 
national weather data center to achieve compatibility and to monitor dupli- 
cation, especially for surface layer oceanographic data required for air-sea 
interaction and climatological studies. 
4. The concept of an interagency advisory board, functioning essentially 
as a board of directors reviewing budget, policy, and progress, should be 
continued. 
5. From my viewpoint as Director of NODC, I believe that funds should 
be provided from a single agency. I think this would more likely result in a 
higher level of funding for NODC than it now receives through agency con- 
tributions and would certainly simplify administrative handling of funds. 
Mr. Chairman, that completes my statement. I will be pleased to answer any 
questions the committee might have. 
