239 



In general, I believe the management concepts set forth by the Commission 

 are sound in that a major responsibilitj' for the University -National Laboratory 

 would rest with the university concerned. In the case of the Coastal Zone Labora- 

 tory, they propose a close affiliation between the State and Federal agencifs sup- 

 porting these laboratories. I hope our further studies in Woods Hole will be 

 useful to you. 



It was, as always, a plea.sure to appear before your Committee. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Paul M. Fye. 



On Organization Within the Federal Government for Marine Activities — 



A Statement 'before the Research and Environmental Panels of the Commission 

 on Marine Science, Engineering and Re.S:Ources on November 7, 1967 



The question of adequate institutional and organizational arrangements for 

 prosecuting the national program in oceanography has been raised. A considera- 

 tion of tihese arrangements follows logically a diseusision of major programs which 

 should be supported by Federal funds and a case for some governmental re- 

 organization can be made on the biasis of conducting such programs in an efficient 

 manner. For example, there is a need for a strengthening of the coordination 

 function previously carried out by the Interagency Committee on Oceanography. 

 The case for re-organization is even stronger, however, when one considers the 

 necessity of an increased comprehensive program which will lead to the full uti- 

 lization of information about the oceans for the benefit of mankind. I think the 

 time has come when this country should push forward with an ocean engineering 

 program. In some ways, it w^ill complement the present oceanographic research 

 program, but an ocean engineering program really has quite different objectives 

 and will require different techniques for achieving them. 



There are many reasons why we should have an ocean engineering program. 

 Two of the most cogent, to my mind, are the need to conquer the ocean depths 

 for peaceful pui-poses and the need to develop the vast resource potential of the 

 oceans. You and your colleagues are all keenly aware of the many arguments why 

 this country should embark on an ocean engineering program, and I shall not 

 reiterate all of them here, but I do believe th,at the case in favor of an ocean 

 engineering program can be defended solely on the basis of these two goals. 



We are aware tiiat you are exploring the question of Federal support of engi- 

 neering developments in the oceans as compared with the posisibility of this being 

 done primarily by private industry. It appears clear to us that private industry 

 cannot be expected to undertake a program of sufficient magnitude soon enough 

 to match the nation's total requirements. The initial cost of these engineering 

 projects in the oceans will be large and the profits almost surely will be slow 

 in realization. Too often the results of ocean engineering may be too diffuse to 

 be exploitable by a single industry. We cannot exi)ect an industrial enterprise, 

 unaided by the Government, to undertake the necessary research and engineering 

 studies, to fund construction of a system, and to xmderwrite its operation unless 

 a satisfactory return can be realized on the investment. A good example of the 

 area wherein the expenditure of public rather than private funds is indicated 

 is the possibility of improving the fishing grounds by controlled returning of 

 nutrients to the surface waters. No single company can be expected to undertake 

 this type of project. There is no doubt in my mind that private indstry will 

 undertake ocean engineering projects when it is economically feasible to do so. 

 I do not believe this will come about early enough to satisfy the national needs 

 and to meet national goals. 



The present National Oceanographic Program includes some ocean engineering 

 projects, but the goal of most of them is to improve the capability for carrying 

 out basic research programs. An example close at hand is the Navy-sponsored 

 development of our deep research vehicle, ALVIN. This project has necessarily 

 entailed a great deal of ocean engineering, but the objective has been to provide 

 a vehicle for oceanographers to use in their basis research projects. 



Although the several departments and agencies involved in the National Pro- 

 gram undertake ocean engineering projects in order to fulfill their mission in 



