IX 



CONCLUSIONS 



Ocean pollution is an acute problem. It is a matter for concern not 

 only in many local and some regional areas, but on a global scale as 

 well. 



Insofar as possible, limnan actions responsible for ocean pollution 

 and having deleterious effects on human health as well as other living 

 organisms should come in line for effective regulation. Steps have al- 

 ready been taken in this area through Federal laws, and international 

 conventions. 



Our knowledge of the many aspects and characteristics of ocean 

 pollution is in some cases incomplete, and otherwise tenuous at best. 

 We must develop a sharper understanding of the extent of contami- 

 nation by determining sources and tracking the distribution of pol- 

 lutants. We must better determine the lethal levels of pollutants, as 

 well as their long term nonlethal effects on the ocean ecosystem. And 

 whereas natural or cyclic phenomena have sometimes been confused 

 with man's impact, we must attempt to understand which phenomena 

 are natural, which phenomena are man-induced, and those over which 

 we have some control. 



