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Mr. Carney. Captain, do you have any idea or any data that 
would substantiate the fact that the Marine Protection, Research 
and Sanctuaries Act has improved our coastal waters? Would you 
be able to answer a question of that nature? 
Captain CousTEAu. I cannot guarantee that my answer is right, 
but I have the impression that it has done a lot of good, yes. 
Mr. Carney. Finally, Captain, you said that weekly we are find- 
ing new substances. I believe you said we are adding new sub- 
stances. Would you suggest that they are new from a creative 
standpoint, or they are new from the fact that we have a greater 
ability to analyze? 
Captain CousTEAu. The chemical industry is producing new com- 
pounds every week. That is progress. The only problem is that they 
are very often dumped before we know what their consequences 
will be in the food chain. But we believe in progress. We do not 
want the chemical industries to stop. We just want them to purify 
their water at the outset of the plan; that is all. 
Mr. CaRNEY. Thank you very much, Captain. 
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 
Mr. D’Amours. Thank you, Mr. Carney. 
The gentleman from New York, Mr. Biaggi. 
Mr. Braacai. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a couple of quick 
questions. 
Captain, you stated that the United States was in the lead, so far 
as environmental concerns and pollution. Have we been eclipsed by 
other nations? What other nations have gone to the forefront? 
Captain CousTEAv. In the scientific field or in pollution? 
Mr. Braact. In pollution. 
Captain CousTEAu. I would not say that you have been eclipsed. 
Other nations are progressing, but for the moment you have a few 
years lead. 
Mr. Biaaai. That is comforting. You made reference to the devel- 
opment of an enzyme which neutralizes some nerve gas, and had 
we stored that gas somewhere in the United States, we would have 
been in a position to have avoided the adverse consequences that 
you have related. What that indicates to me is that this suggests 
an approach to resolving issues surrounding the disposal of our nu- 
clear waste. 
Captain CousTEAU. Yes. 
Mr. Braccr. So you would encourage storage until research and 
science has produced satisfactory results? 
Captain CousTEAu. Absolutely. I am quite sure that we will be 
sorry someday to have dispersed our nuclear waste. 
Mr. Braccr. You also stated that there were some beneficial ele- 
ments in the sludge as well as adverse. 
Captain CousTEAU. Yes, sir. 
Mr. Biaacci. Would that not indicate that a continuation research 
and monitoring process is needed? 
Captain CousTEAu. You see, when you dump into the ocean phos- 
phates and nitrates in great concentration in one area, it is detri- 
mental. If you disperse it, it is beneficial. If we have too many 
phosphates and nitrates, the algae develop too much, take the 
oxygen off, and the fish die. But the primary production is limited 
by the lack of nitrates and phosphates in the ocean as a whole. 
