The application of new analytical and molecular research tools to studies of the evolutionary 

 diversity of marine organisms and their colonization of unique and extreme environments will 

 produce important new discoveries. Enhancement of this work is projected to require $1 .5M in 

 FY 1988 and to increase rapidly beyond this as marine biotechnology grows in importance. 

 Besides the obvious need for research dollars, we also see the need for enhancement of existing 

 centers through aquisition of the expensive new generation of instrumentation to integrate 

 modern molecular biology and genetic technologies into the ocean sciences. We also need to 

 encourage establishment of new centers in the context of existing marine laboratory and 

 oceanography facilities, where seawater systems, culture expertise, and ecological knowledge of 

 the habitats of marine organisms already exist. This program will require a $10f^ annual 

 budget within five years. 



2. Technology Development. Development, acquisition, and use of new tools for field data 

 aquisition and analysis Is a most critical need in biological oceanography. Support for the 

 technical personnel to operate and maintain such complex electronic and mechanical equipment 

 is also vital. A small proportion of the resources of the Oceanographic Centers and Facilities 

 Section is assigned to ongoing technology development for the Ocean Sciences Division as a whole, 

 but it is inadequate to equip Biological Oceanography with a new generation of field observational 

 and data management tools. 



Specific prototype research methods that would contribute significantly to advances in Biological 

 Oceanography with enhanced support include (1) multifrequency acoustic sampling for 

 zooplankton and small nekton; (2) in situ optical sampling and image analysis for plankton, 

 microbes and marine snow; (3) flow cytometry and image analysis for identification and sorting 

 of phytoplankton and microbes; (4) satellite data capture and analysis; and (5) optimally 

 designed submersibles for investigation of midwater plankton and benthos. Greatly expanded 

 funding for these and other endeavors will allow biological oceanographers to develop 

 state-of-the art observational capabilities and will insure real-time interaction with physical 

 and chemical oceanographers in future interdisciplinary and large-scale programs. 



This enhancement will require at least $5M per year over the next decade. 



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