STATEMENT BY
RETIRED NAVY VICE ADM. CONRAD C. LAUTENBACHER, Ph.D.,
UNDERSECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE AND NOAA ADMINISTRATOR, IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL’S STUDY ON EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS

The National Research Council (NRC) today released a thoughtful and comprehensive report, “Exploration of the Seas: Voyage Into the Unknown,” following a study sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

There is much in this report to like. NOAA agrees with the authors on the importance of the oceans to us all, the benefits of increasing the pace at which the oceans are explored, expanded international cooperation, and the need for strong and effective education and outreach efforts. A number of recommendations involving significant organizational or funding changes will require review and analysis, making this an inappropriate time to comment on those recommendations.

NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration has a history of less than three years. In that time and with resources at hand, we achieved excellent results in basic exploration, as well as mapping new areas of the ocean floor. We assembled and leveraged support from interdisciplinary science teams and have partnered with public and private, national and international organizations. Details of these activities are on the Web site, oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

We appreciate the report’s comments praising the education and outreach efforts of NOAA’s Office of Exploration and recognizing other capabilities in NOAA are important to existing and future ocean exploration.

NOAA appreciates comments on opportunities for improvement. We are proud of all our accomplishments and will remain ready to address opportunities to improve our existing program in ocean exploration.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration: http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/