24 • Marine Minerals: Exploring Our New Ocean Frontier 



Advances in mapping technology have provided oceanographers with valuable detailed infornnation about the depths 



and topography of the seafloor. However, the accuracy and precision of multi-beann and echo-sounding also makes the 



maps valuable for military navigation and positioning. (Old technology on this page; new technology opposite). 



Source: National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA 



more is known about marine minerals. Preliminary 

 reconnaissance and exploration by the Federal 

 agencies to determine mining opportunities, as well 

 as assurances from Congress that the Federal Gov- 

 ernment will provide an appropriate administra- 

 tive framework and economic climate to conduct 

 business offshore, probably will be needed to in- 

 terest the private sector in further prospecting and 

 possible development. 



The possible strategic importance of some EEZ 

 minerals is additional justification for the United 

 States to maintain momentum in exploring its off- 

 shore public domain. We know too little about the 

 mineral resource potential of the EEZ to judge its 

 long-term commercial viability or its strategic value 

 in supplying critical minerals in times of emer- 

 gency. A time may come, however, when it is 

 judged that it is vital to the Nation that the Fed- 



eral Government indirectly or directly support the 

 offshore mining industry to maintain a competi- 

 tive, strategic position in seabed mining relative to 

 European countries, Japan, and other industrial 

 nations. 



The vastness of the U.S. EEZ requires that ex- 

 ploration proceed according to well-thought-out 

 plans and priorities. Federal agencies will have to 

 coordinate efforts, share equipment, and collaborate 

 in a collegial atmosphere. Academicians, State per- 

 sonnel, and scientists and engineers from private 

 industry also will be major participants in the Fed- 

 eral EEZ exploration program. To achieve this 

 extraordinary level of coUaboration inside and out- 

 side the Federal Government, a broad-based co- 

 ordinating mechanism is likely to be needed to tie 

 the various public, academic, and private sector 

 EEZ activities together. 



