themselves to such subjects as marine resource development, ocean engineering, and 

 man's effect upon the ocean environment — all very "practical" concerns directly related 

 to the national interest. Programs that had never been recognized as "oceanography" 

 in its classical sense were considered: marine biology; water pollution control; shellfish 

 sanitation; recreation; and coastal and deep ocean engineering. "Oceanography" had 

 been broadened to include many aspects of man's activities in or on the ocean. 



In considering the problems identified by its panels, the Academy was concerned, 

 on the one hand, with an assessment of the needs of the field, and on the other, with 

 such limitations on its development as the rate at which ships and facilities could be 

 built and new manpower trained. The report concluded that: "Action on a scale ap- 

 preciably less than that recommended will jeopardize the position of oceanography 

 in the United States relative to the position of the sciences in other major nations, thereby 

 accentuating serious military and political dangers, and placing the nation at a disad- 

 vantage in the future use of the resources of the sea." 



When released in 1959, the first chapters of the 12-volume report catalyzed action 

 by both the executive and the legislative branches of government. In the Senate, a 

 resolution concurring in the NASCO recommendations passed unanimously. A Sub- 

 committee on Oceanography was established by the House Merchant Marine and Fish- 

 eries Committee. Legislation was enacted to strengthen the marine sciences by removing 

 certain statutory limitations upon the Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, and 

 Geological Survey, enabling these agencies to participate in broader oceanographic 

 work. In the executive branch, the recommendations were considered by the President's 

 Science Advisory Committee (PSAC), which had earlier concluded that oceanography 

 was a neglected field requiring additional emphasis. The PSAC endorsed the objectives 

 of the report and commended it for action to the newly established Federal Council 

 for Science and Technology. 



At the Council's request, the President's Science Advisor established a Subcommittee 

 on Oceanography in mid-1959, with representatives from the Departments of Defense, 

 Interior, and Commerce, the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Science Founda- 

 tion, and the Bureau of the Budget. 



The Subcommittee on Oceanography, in turn, examined ways by which an over- 

 all and integrated national program in oceanography might be initiated by the Federal 

 Government. The Subcommittee's report recognized that "the resources of the sea are 

 of interest to every major department and agency of the government, and that the 

 strengthening of the marine sciences poses one of the most difficult problems of co- 

 ordination in the organization of science in government." It concluded that "it is evident 

 that procedures for formulating programs within the several agencies are well estab- 

 lished but that there are deficiencies in coordination between agencies, in providing 

 adequate .funding, and in the mechanisms for carrying out a coordinated national 

 program." Among its general recommendations were: 



1. That as a national objective the Federal Government undertake a program for a 

 substantial and orderly expansion of eff'ort in the field of oceanography. 



2. That this expansion of the national eff'ort. ..be planned in general conformity 

 with the NASCO recommendations as modified in the Subcommittee's report. 



3. That full advantage be taken of existing Federal programs which can support 

 training", education, and basic research in oceanography. 



4. That professional oceanographers and interested scientific and research institu- 

 tions take vigorous action to recruit scientists and organize educational programs. 



5. That the national program in oceanographic research and surveys be planned and 

 conducted taking maximum advantage of the mutual benefits to be derived from in- 

 ternational cooperation. 



Ill 



