in determining the course of U.S. ocean policy. A de- 
tailed discussion of the role of Congress in develop- 
ment of ocean policy, as well as its organization for 
dealing with ocean questions, is beyond the scope of 
this discussion. 
The need seen by some for policy direction at the 
Presidential level has prompted a number of sugges- 
tions that an institution similar to the former Marine 
Science Council is again needed within the Executive 
Office of the President.*° To succeed, such proposals 
must demonstrate that there are significant issues 
requiring the attention of the President that are not 
adequately handled now. These specific proposals 
have been advanced in recent years—two in the 
form of legislation, and another as an academic 
concept—which would reinstate a policy council in 
the Executive Office of the President: (1) A National 
Council on Marine Science, Engineering, and Re- 
source Development (S. 709, 94th Cong., Senator 
Humphrey H. Humphrey), (2) A Marine Affairs 
Council (Professor John Norton Moore, 1976) and, 
(3) an Office of Maritime Affairs Coordinator (S. 
3580, 94th Cong., Senator Robert Taft, Jr.). 
Marine Science or Marine Affairs Council 
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, the first chairman 
of the former Marine Science Council by virtue of 
his tenure as Vice President during its existence, in- 
troduced S. 709, the Marine Science, Engineering, 
and Development Act of 1975, which proposed to 
establish a National Council on Marine Science, 
Engineering, and Development along with a coordi- 
native advisory panel. Like the Marine Science 
Council, the proposed council would be a Cabinet- 
level group chaired by the Vice President. Authority 
would be provided for employing a professional staff 
under the direction of an executive secretary to be 
compensated at a ievel not to exceed Executive 
Level II. 
The responsibilities of the proposed council under 
the Humphrey proposal would include: 
Survey significant marine science activities. 
e Develop a comprehensive long-range program of 
marine activities. 
e Evaluate the conduct of the Federal marine sci- 
ence activities. 
® Insure cooperation and resolve differences among 
Federal departments and agencies. 
® Undertake comprehensive study of marine-related 
legal problems. 
e Study benefit/cost of marine resources, engineer- 
ing, and scieuce to the United States. 
Edward Wenk, Jr., op. cit. note 12, p. 200 et seq. See this 
reference for an analysis of the role played by the Marine Sci- 
ence Council in formulating and advancing such legislative con- 
cepts. 
e Review all marine service activities annually. 
e Administer a grant program to foster participation 
in the overall Government marine program. 
The Humphrey proposal, if enacted, would consti- 
tute in effect a reenactment of the Marine Resources 
and Engineering Development Act of 1966, since 
S. 709 and the Act differ only in detail. A principal 
difference would be the creation of an Advisory 
Panel on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resource 
Development proposed by S. 709 which would in- 
corporate the National Advisory Committee on 
Oceans and Atmosphere (NACOA), supplemented 
by congressional members, to review and make 
recommendations on ocean affairs to the council. 
The statutory mandate of NACOA would remain 
unaffected. S. 709 also would reinstate the respon- 
sibility for publishing a detailed report of national 
marine programs—the report prepared through the 
science advisory structure and ICMSE since 1971. 
The emphasis placed on marine science and tech- 
nology in the Humphrey proposal contradicts, to 
some extent, the developing consensus that national 
ocean policy transcends the once-popular concept 
that marine science and engineering is the umbrella 
for all ocean policy. While the implied focus of the 
council proposed by S. 709 is weighted toward sci- 
ence and engineering, there would probably be no 
legal constraints for such a council, if staffed by 
aggressive professionals, to confront problems ex- 
tending beyond the traditional limits of marine sci- 
ence and technology. 
Professor John Norton Moore proposed the crea- 
tion of a Marine Affairs Council as part of a com- 
prehensive plan to reorganize the Federal ocean ef- 
fort.2: The Marine Affairs Council, a variation of 
the Marine Science Ccuncil concept, would similarly 
be chaired by the Vice President and serve as a 
Cabinet-level forum for developing and coordinating 
national ocean policy. Its coordinative functions 
would be executed through an Interagency Task 
Force on Oceans Policy chaired by the Executive 
Director of the Marine Affairs Council, who would 
be supported by a professional staff. Reflecting the 
breader reorganization thrust of the Moore pro- 
posal, the Marine Affairs Council would deal with 
maritime transportation policy and merchant marine 
affairs in addition to what is customarily considered 
ocean policy. 
Office of Maritime Affairs Coordinator 
Maritime transportation has generally been treated 
in isolation from other ocean policy issues. It has 
been considered primarily as an economic tool of 
zi John Norton Moore. “The Crisis in Ocean Policy: Time for 
Change.” Marine Technology Society Journal 10 October- 
November 1976: 3-10. : 
IX-10 
