1246 
2. A single agency for oceanographic activity would concentrate the large 
amount of oceanographic information produced by the Federal Government into 
one place where a public or private orgainzation could turn for information. 
A real problem for a researcher, such as myself, is to keep informed of ocean- 
ographic information currently being uncovered in my field, so that I can both 
make decisions on work to be done, and translate current basic research results 
into information useful to our community. Presently, I must try to keep in 
touch with the oceanographic activities of the Navy, ESSA, the Bureau of Fish- 
eries, the Bureau of Sport Fishing, Public Health Service, Commission on Marine 
Sciences, and the National Science Foundation. Even then, I sometimes find in- 
formation has been produced by a Federal agency that I was not aware was 
doing anything related to oceanography. 
3. A single agency could provide a badly needed point for consultation and 
advice for businesses wishing to evaluate the potential of some particular aspect 
of oceanic activity. This could result in a considerable increase in both interest 
and productive business activity relating to the oceans. Also, the probable award- 
ing of the small developmental contracts to industries would be a stimulus for 
further investment in oceanic development. 
4. Probably most important to our present state of knowledge regarding the 
ocean, would be the encouragement a single oceanic agency would give to 
research on the oceans. If the oceans are to provide maximum benefits for our 
country, it is essential that we know what benefits can be obtained from 
the physical, chemical, and biological components of the ocean, and that this 
knowledge be translated into solid benefits for our people. It is asking a great 
deal for our industries to invest the large amount of money required for the 
basic research to uncover the many useful things in the ocean. Support for 
research, however, is split among so many agencies with differing policies on 
what they will support, that considerable effort is wasted in finding the agency 
interested in a particular problem. This contrasts with medical research, for 
example, where the Public Health Service has a clear mandate to provide 
research support. An agency such as is proposed here could pursue this basic 
research and translate it into the beginnings of development, both in its own 
laboratories, and through grants to university oceanographic institutes. Florida, 
which currently has a number of such university institutes and oceanography 
departments under development, could benefit greatly from this activity. The 
support of vigorous research programs in our Central Florida universities could 
provide considerable help for Central Florida industries which are interested 
in oceanic development. 
The provisions of the bill appear to be quite sound. The principal provision 
that has me puzzled is the transfer of the Coast Guard to this agency, since the 
Coast Guard is more of a regulatory and rescue agency while the other agencies 
that are proposed to be transferred to NOAA are research, development, and 
Service agencies. This point does not detract from the overall potential advan- 
tages offered by the bill. 
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, 
Washington, D.C., November 14, 1969. 
Hon. ALTON LENNON, 
Chairman, Subcommittee on Oceanography, Committee on Merchant Marine and 
Fisheries, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 
DEAR Mr. CHAIRMAN: We have been asked to transmit to you our observa- 
tions about H.R. 13247, “To amend the Marine Resources and Engineering 
Development Act of 1966.’ We understand that this bill is up for executive 
consideration before your Subcommittee next week. 
Our organization is in agreement with the general policy and objectives of 
the “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Program Act of 1969.” We believe that 
a comprehensive, coordinated and continuing national program in marine and 
atmospheric science, technology and technical services is necessary and advis- 
able if the U.S. is to keep pace with many of the other Nations. However, we 
would hope the accelerated development and utilization of the resources of 
the marine environment cited in Section 102(a) (1) can be done in accordance 
with established conservation principles which feature the concept of wise use. 
We agree that a “National Advisory Committee for Oceans and Atmosphere” 
would serve a beneficial purpose of giving worthwhile advice to the Administra- 
tor of the program. 
