(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1983-05)
Ross, David A.; Ladner, Rosamund; Early, Julie A.
Because of the Law of the Sea Conference and other factors there
recently has been a continuing expansion in the legal, economic, and
scientific control over the ocean by coastal countries. This paper presents
the results of a questionnaire survey mailed to U.S. marine scientists,
soliciting their experiences during the last decade in conducting research in
the coastal waters of foreign countries and their expectations for the
future. Tables present the countries where research had been conducted,
methods of and difficulties in obtaining clearance from foreign governments,
the affect of foreign rules on design, planning and execution of research, and
areas of interest for future research. Fifty-eight percent of the seventy-two
respondents (136 originally sent) had encountered difficulties in obtaining
permission to work in foreign coastal waters. Forty-nine percent anticipate
that Law of the Sea Treaty requirements may cause such problems for them in
the future. The respondents made comments and recommendations bearing on
future U.S. marine research in foreign waters. One set of tables presents
results for the total group; another set presents results for subgroups of
those in particular scientific disciplines.
