future and to give guidance to the U.S. Govern- 
ment. 
Fulfillment of technological potentials is a 
difficult task. It is hoped that the following two 
mission objectives will provide the guidelines to 
achievement. The United States should develop 
the technological base and capability: 
—Within 10 years to occupy the U‘S. territorial 
sea. utilize the U.S. Continental Shelf and slope to 
depths of 2,000 feet, and explore the ocean depths 
to 20,000 feet. 
—Within 30 years to manage the U.S. Continental 
Shelf and slope to depths of 2,000 feet and utilize 
the ocean depths to 20,000 feet. 
The two objectives are interrelated. The first 
provides the improved understanding and capabil- 
ity basic to ocean systems development. The 
second, during the period 1980 to 2000, visualizes 
extensive use of new techniques on U.S. Conti- 
nental Shelf areas. In the deep oceans development 
of long-term operating capability will be stimu- 
lated by needs formulated from exploration. 
By the year 2000, colonies on the sea floor will 
be commonplace because industries will operate 
profitably at sea and people will be there to 
support them. It is not difficult to conceive of fish 
harvesting systems or perhaps open water aquacul- 
ture. Much of the offshore oil and gas industry will 
be operating completely submerged, and very 
possibly mining will have overcome ocean exploi- 
tation problems. Chemical processing plants may 
well find deeper ocean conditions compatible with 
the needs of high pressure processes. 
Although it may be easy to overestimate 
near-term progress, it is equally easy to under- 
estimate the long term potential. By the year 
2000, the U.S. industry with the highest sales 
volume, employment, and earnings may well be 
one intimately associated with the oceans. 
Beyond the economic considerations of a com- 
mitment to the oceans, there are tremendous 
social, political, scientific, and military implica- 
tions for the 1980-2000 period. Water pollution 
can be checked; water quality restoration—initially 
in fresh water areas and later in coastal regions— 
will have a firm beginning. Although during this 
period the problem of thermal pollution will 
become fully apparent, technology will permit 
placement of heat generating operations at sea 
where adequate cooling capacity is available. Mov- 
ing large stationary power plants to sea will free 
high value urban land for other use. 
During this same period the knowledge will be 
acquired upon which to establish reasonable water 
quality standards satisfying both commercial and 
recreational interests. Beaches once closed because 
of pollution may be reopened, and coastal engi- 
neering technology will be available to restore 
damaged beaches, construct artificial islands, and 
otherwise enhance the usefulness of coastal lands. 
Improved technology will benefit greatly scien- 
tific effort, perhaps allowing basic discoveries to 
be made that will profoundly affect the future. 
The scientist will have convenient and economical 
access to entire oceans. 
Finally, the stage will be set for a new period of 
21st century seapower, a period characterized not 
only by a powerful Navy in the military sense, but 
an internationally strong and respected Nation. If 
the Nation accepts the challenge of this report, 
there will be established an increased opportunity 
to solve some of the difficult social problems of 
population, poverty, and malnutrition. The United 
States should lead in meeting the challenge of the 
undersea frontier. 
il. IMPORTANCE, URGENCY, AND RATION- 
ALE FOR U.S. LEADERSHIP 
There is little question that mankind eventually 
will make massive use of the oceans for natural 
resources, transportation, recreation, and national 
security. A well-conceived program is needed—a 
national program that is thoughtfully scheduled, 
carefully executed, and wisely balanced with 
other national interests. The rate at which man 
becomes economically involved with the oceans 
may be debated, but the need for his involvement 
is a certainty. The United States must learn 
to court the oceans, eliciting responses which 
reinforce the material, aesthetic, and social ends 
the Nation is striving to achieve. 
Offshore oil has demonstrated its viability. With 
initial success, the industry can look forward 
confidently, and an increasing industry contribu- 
tion to the economy can be expected. Although 
the world supply of mineral resources on land 
appears generally sufficient to the year 2000, 
leadtimes require an early start. Offshore explora- 
