Preface 



The Marine Resources Panel of the Commission 

 on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources has 

 undertaicen an assessment of the potential for 

 marine resources in the context of anticipated 

 demand and supply for the Nation and the world. 

 The panel addressed itself to three essential tasks: 

 describing the current rate of exploration and 

 exploitation of marine resources ai'id the physical, 

 economic, and legal conditions under which they 

 are produced; identifying deterrents to develop- 

 ment and efficient utilization of marine resources; 

 and recommending programs that will remove the 

 deterrents, thereby stimulating exploitation of 

 marine resources. 



We have considered the term "marine re- 

 sources" to include not only those organisms and 

 substances that exist in the ocean water but also 

 materials of potential value on and beneath the 

 seabed. Approximately 20,000 species of fish- 

 only a few of which are used by man, seaweeds, 

 vast quantities of algae, and other simple or- 

 ganisms make up the living resources. Oil and 

 natural gas; such dissolved chemicals as salt, 

 magnesium, and bromine; sulphur; sand, gravel, 

 and oyster shells; and tin are the major non-living 

 resources already produced from the sea. Many 

 more are potentially important. Fresh water may 

 also be considered an important non-Uving re- 

 source. 



Outdoor recreation, direct power, transporta- 

 tion, and underwater storage of materials are vital 

 non-consumptive uses of the sea that can add 

 wealth and enjoyment to our lives. Waste disposal 

 is at present another major use of the sea. 

 Recreation and power are discussed in this report; 

 transportation, waste disposal, and storage are 

 treated in other panel reports. Because of the 

 diverse character of marine resources and their 

 usage, the panel has treated each principal resource 

 group separately. 



The panel gathered information through con- 

 sultants; correspondence with individuals from 

 universities, industries, and Federal and State 

 governments; previous studies of the problems; 

 comments from technical reviewers; and direct 

 interviews. 



With respect to oil and hard minerals, industry 

 and government are concentrated in relatively few 

 institutions, and the panel consulted leaders in 

 these areas. The fisheries, on the other hand, 

 represent a mature and widely dispersed group of 

 industries. To obtain the widest range of opinion, 

 the panel sent letters inviting specific and general 

 suggestions from every known organized group of 

 fishermen's unions and cooperatives, processing 

 and marketing firms, sport fishing groups, con- 

 servation organizations, and individuals concerned 

 with the fisheries. Their responses aided in our 

 preparations. 



Our report was reviewed at several levels of 

 development by members of government, in- 

 dustry, and the university community, and it 

 benefited greatly from their wide diversity of 

 experience. The report, however, is the sole 

 responsibility of the panel. 



We wish to thank all of the contributors to the 

 report listed in Appendix A and to give special 

 recognition to the assistance rendered by 

 Creighton A. Burk, Mobil Oil Company; David B. 

 Brooks, Bureau of Mines, Department of the 

 Interior; D. L. Alverson, Bureau of Commercial 

 Fisheries, Department of the Interior; and W. M. 

 Chapman, Ralston Purina Company. 



We especially wish to thank John P. Albers, 

 Executive Secretary of the panel, whose dedicated 

 assistance made this report possible. Upon Dr. 

 Albers's departure, H. Crane MiUer assisted in 

 completing the report. 



James A. Crutchfield, Chairman 

 David A. Adams 



VIM 



