Chapter 1 Introduction and Summary 
|. PROGRAM AND GOAL 
The development of the ocean as a resource is a 
major concern closely linked to the solution of the 
problems of urban development, transportation, 
public health, foreign aid, and world hunger. 
An essential element of the national commit- 
ment to the oceans is the technology to explore 
and utilize them, to occupy the U.S. territorial sea, 
and to utilize and manage the resources of the U.S. 
Continental Shelves. This country’s position of 
technological leadership requires it to take an 
active role in developing the earth’s resources, 
especially those of the undersea frontier. 
Technological development has been the foun- 
dation of U.S. strength and national growth. Its 
extension into the oceans is necessary to continue 
national development, including creation and pro- 
tection of employment, a more enjoyable way of 
life, and maintenance and improvement of the 
national environment for the future. Economic 
and social benefits, continuing acquisition of 
scientific knowledge, and military necessity justify 
the commitment. 
ll. MAJOR OBJECTIVES 
The panel proposes, as the major objectives of 
an increased national commitment to the oceans, 
that the United States should develop the tech- 
nological base and capability to: 
—Within 10 years: eccupy the U.S. territorial sea; 
utilize the U.S. Continental Shelf and slope to 
depths of 2,000 feet; explore the ocean depths to 
20,000 feet. 
—Within 30 years: manage the U.S. Continental 
Shelf and slope to depths of 2,000 feet; achieve 
the capability to utilize the ocean depths to 
20,000 feet.’ 
The depths of 2,000 feet and 20,000 feet for 
technological development of the undersea frontier 
are dictated by the bathymetry of the oceans and 
Key definitions are given in Figure 1. 
VI-2 
the state of technology. Both depths are reason- 
able targets. The two major objectives are workable 
for U.S. ocean activities and may be carried out 
within an acceptable international legal framework. 
Figure 1 Key Definitions 
Ocean engineering—The application of 
science and engineering to describe the 
marine environment and to develop and 
operate systems for its utilization. 
Marine technology—The total capability to 
utilize the ocean environment, including 
knowledge, equipment, techniques, and 
facilities. 
Occupy—To inhabit a volume of ocean or an 
area of seabed to observe, make decisions, 
and take action. Occupation includes the 
element of permanence. 
Explore—To search, probe, map, and chart 
systematically the ocean environment, in- 
cluding the water column, floor, and sub- 
floor features for the purpose of enhancing 
subsequent action. 
Manage—To direct effort to conserve deplet- 
able resources, achieve continued and im- 
proved yield of regenerative resources, mod- 
ify the environment to facilitate these 
efforts, and resolve multiple use conflicts. 
Utilize—To carry out a useful purpose or 
operation; to obtain profit or benefit by 
using. 
The earth’s continents are fringed by shallow, 
sloping shelves varying in width from a few yards 
to hundreds of miles. The shelves and a limited 
area of the steeper continental slopes beyond lie 
within the 2,000 foot contour, an area totaling 
nearly 10 per cent of the earth’s ocean floor— 
approximately as large as North and South Amer- 
ica combined. The 2,000-foot depth is within 
