Even more recently, NOAA scientists reported that thousands of 

 pieces of plastic, ranging from tiny scraps to fish nets 100 feet long, 

 litter Alaska's remote beaches. Mercury pollution has led to worldwide 

 concern, and has had heavy impact on parts of the U.S. fishing indus- 

 try. There have been long-standing reports of DDT in the Ajitarctic 

 food chain. 



Findings of the impacts of waste disposal on the Xew York Bight 

 were instrumental in calling attention to the ocean dumping problem, 

 and in subsequent enactment, under leadership of this committee, of 

 the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. 



AVhat are we to make of these observations, which indicate the effects 

 of man's activities extend far from our shores, and from the Antarctic 

 to the Arctic ? How serious are these symptoms ? What actions should 

 betaken? 



I know you and your committee have been concerned with these 

 questions, Mr. Chairman. They must be addressed by all of us with 

 responsibilities for understanding, utilizing and protecting the oceans. 



Mr. Chairman, I would summarize my convictions on ocean pollu- 

 tion as follows : 



1. Ocean pollution is an acute problem in many local and some 

 regional areas. It is also a matter for concern on a global scale. 



2. Human actions causing pollution of the oceans, with significant 

 effect on human health and other living organisms, should be con- 

 sidered for effective regulatory efforts. We have already taken steps 

 in this area through recent Federal laws. International conventions 

 are being developed toward similar ends. 



3. The gaps in our knowledge of ocean pollution are serious. We 

 must improve our understanding if we are to reconcile growing con- 

 flicts between economic development and protection of the ocean 

 environment. 



I would like now to look at some of the activities which contribute 

 to ocean pollution. 



In the face of increasing recognition of the need to protect our 

 ocean resources, we are also seeing growth of man's activities in the 

 ocean. Some of man's impacts on the ocean, such as waste disposal, 

 are of long standing. Others, such as offshore j)owerplants and super- 

 ports, are still on the horizon. 



Collectively, these activities will add up to greater use and an in- 

 creased impact on the ocean. Some of those uses can be damaging if 

 allowed to proceed without concern for environmental protection. 



I am convinced, however, that they can be managed in such a way 

 as to reduce or minimize harmful environmental effects, and under 

 certain circumstances, such as tlie controlled use of waste heat in mari- 

 culture, can be beneficial. 



EFFLUENT INPUTS RIAT.R AND DIRECT COASTAL DISCHARGES 



We can estimate very roughly that the volume of waste discharges 

 from the U.S. countries immediately bordering the ocean and Groat 

 Lakes, where 81 million people live, is roughly equivalent to the aver- 

 age flow of the Potomac River. These discharges cause local and re- 

 gional problems in coastal waters. 



