450 



"(c) To conduct studies and investigations of problems pertaining to the other 

 segments of the maritime economy ; 



"(d) To conduct studies and investigations of marine pollution in cooperation 

 with the State Water Control Board and the Department of Health and make 

 the resulting data and possible corrective recommendations available to the ap- 

 propriate agencies. 



"(e) To conduct hydrographic and biological studies of the Chesapeake Bay 

 and the tributaries thereof and all the tidal waters of the Commonwealth and 

 the contiguous waters of the Atlantic Ocean ; 



"(f) To engage in research in the marine sciences and, with proper affiliation 

 with one or more accredited institutions of higher learning, provide education: 

 therein ; 



"(g) To make such special studies and investigations concerning the foregoing 

 as it may be requested to do by the Governor. 



"The above studies shall include consideration of the seafood and other marine 

 resources including the waters, bottoms, shorelines, tidal wetlands, beaches and 

 all phenomena and problems related to marine waters and the means by which 

 these marine resources might be conserved, developed and replenished." 



Dating to 1940, this charter wisely provides for basic and applied research, 

 technological and engineering developments and for service to the principal users^ 

 managers and developers of the state's vast marine resources. It also provides 

 for education in all relevant fields of oceanography and technology. In recent 

 years, a mechanism has been developed to make the laboratories, equipment,, 

 ships and other resources of the Institute available to interested scientists and 

 students in other institutions. Conversely, this arrangement provides a mech- 

 anism for encouraging others to work on the marine environment and problems 

 of the Commonwealth. 



Through VIMS, the General Assembly of Virginia has devoted fairly large 

 amounts of money to oceanography. At this point, the Institute stands among the 

 top ten of all marine institutions (and there are nearly a hundred in the nation) 

 in total size, and among the first three or four in terms of total state-support. 

 It is the largest in percentage of local support. Indications are that among state- 

 supported oceanographic programs, Virginia has the largest on the East Coast 

 (1967 Oceanology Yearbook). 



Enlightened and controlled investment in marine science by the Commonwealth 

 has resulted in increasing use of information about the marine environment and 

 its resources in the public and private economic afEairs of the Commonwealth. 

 Health, welfare and aesthetics are also being served more actively. Marine scien- 

 tists and engineers are regularly available for advice and consultation to local 

 and state public management planning and development groups such as the Vir- 

 ginia Division of Industrial Development, the Division of Planning, the Depart- 

 ment of Conservation and Economic Development, the Commission of Fisheries,, 

 the Water Control Board, the Department of Health, and other executive and 

 legislative bodies. Service to industries of all types, especially to shipping, sport 

 and commercial fishing interests, big water users, and waterfront developers 

 has grown. Virginia's oceanographers also serve as advisors to state and inter- 

 state river basin development groups and fishery commissions. 



EDUCATION IN OCEANOGRAPHY 



Within Virginia, training and educational opportunities in marine science are 

 provided to advanced high school students, high school and college teachers and 

 advanced undergraduates. Graduate courses leading to masters and doctors de- 

 grees in Biological Oceanography, General Oceanography and Marine Fisheries 

 Biology are offered by the University of Virginia and the College of William and 

 Mary in conjunction with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. A minor in 

 Ocean Engineering is available through the former. Electives and research 

 courses in marine science or related fields also are offered at Virginia Polytechnic 

 Institute and Old Dominion College in Norfolk. The latter anticipates development 

 of oceanography graduate programs later. Several other institutions such as 

 Hampton Institute and University of Richmond also have employed marine 

 scientists to teach. 



At this writing, the only oceanography courses leading to graduate degrees 

 are those offered at VIMS through the University of Virginia and the College of 

 William and Mary. Enrollment in these has grown markedly from about 6 in 

 1957 to 55 in 1967. Recently, many qualified applicants have been rejected due 

 to lack of facilities. 



