EXPLORATION OFF N.Z. COAST

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25734, 21 February 1949, Page 3

EXPLORATION OFF N.Z. COAST

RECOMMENDATIONS OF OCEANOGRAPHERS The starting of oceanographic work in New Zealand waters with the establishment of a marine laboratory with facilities for research at sea was recommended by the oceanographic section of the Pacific Science Congress on Saturday. The section suggested that naval or other Government vessels should run out a series of echo-sounding lines from the east coast of New Zealand for 100 miles. Various deeps and banks had been reported in the area but few reliable soundings had been made. If echo soundings confirmed the existence of reported banks, Ifcrge new supplies of fish might be discovered and much other valuable information could be collected. The section also endorsed recommendations that colleges and universities bordering the Pacific be urged to incorporate adequate courses in the marine sciences in their curricula for the training of students in biological and physical oceanography; that naval or other vessels bordering the Pacific be equipped to collect oceanographic data, particularly outside the usual lanes of traffic; and that institutions having marine laboratories not equipped for full-scale oceanographic investigations be urged to co-ordinate their research programmes with each other and with undertakings of larger scope in so far as their facilities permitted.