1998 Year of the Ocean The Legendary Ocean — ^The Unexplored Frontier 



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 



The ocean remains as one of Earth's last unexplored frontiers. It has stirred our 

 imaginations over the millennia and has lead to the discovery of new lands, immense deposits 

 and reservoirs of resources, and startling scientific findings. The presence of the human eye and 

 the human ability to sample and to conduct experiments from the coastal regions to the deep 

 ocean abyss has provided answers to questions on such critical issues as global change, waste 

 disposal, mineral deposits, and the creation of life itself In spite of the development of new 

 technologies, comparatively little of the ocean has been studied. The leadership role of the 

 United States has been eroded by a gradual decrease in funding support in spite of public opinion 

 polls that indicate that ocean exploration is more important than space studies. As exciting and 

 enlightening as ocean discoveries have been, they will likely pale in comparison to future 

 discoveries. 



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