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002776 -29- Congress responded with new support. The Executive Branch took steps to improve coordination through the Interagency Comt:nittee on the Oceans, but we will move from the Bureau level up to the Secretary level and now we will have the Marine Council. In June of 1966, the Congress enacted the bill authorizing a long-term program to study the uses of the' sea. The Marine Resources and Engi- neering Development Act was passed and the Marine Science Council was formed to bring order to the erratic pr.ogress and fragmented efforts of the twenty-three different Federal Bureaus and agencies. As a result of the Decade of.Pr'eparation, we have increased funding for research and exploration by a factor of five. We have added 50 ships of 65,000 tons to our oceanographic fleet. We have made a beginning. We have an agency for organization--the Marine Council--which the President has not allowed to expire. We have a body offresh, controversial recom- mendations from the Commission on Marine Science, Engi'neering and Resources. I do not say I agree with .all of their ideas. I do not say that they will all be adopted. But, the Commission's work in compiling an inventory of long- range needs and opportunities has provided this nation, the President and the Congress, with a fundamental data bank and suggested direction. I will be honest with you. This administration cannot rush full speed ahead into marine development programs. The realities of national priorities and continuing inflation demand executive discipline. All Federal expend- itur€lS have undergone sharp review. In many cases, we were forced to make painful reductions. Despite this, we intend to move with all deliberate speed. This Administration has not been standing still. Shortly after Inauguration, th€l President requested the Marine Science Council to review the Stratton Report and to make recomm€lndations as soon as possible. The comments from the council members, the President's Science Advisor Dr. Du Bridge and the Council's Executive Secretary (Dr. Wenk), were provided to the President on March 27th of this year. From these, six recommendations were made. Six substantive areas were selected for immediate attention. Five of these probably can be implemented now without further legislation. These are: 1. The establishment of a Federal grant program; coastal zone laboratories; and regional port planning. 2. The expansion of exploration of coastal and deep sea resources and weather forecasting services. 3. Improvement of the U.S. fishing industry. 4. The creation of national regional laboratories with a strong base of support. "-, :.~'." ".::~::._-.; ": ;.:::J:.~~. .::;-.-: ~"~< ',. ' -;.:' ':~':. .-.::.-.-:::<.-..,... {..;~:.~:-.<"': -:'~ ~. .. -.-.;- -:"':".'.""" ,"_" u . ._~ . _ ~~l&;I:~tlllllt~~~~_.~iiI~l