The Press FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1966. Science And The Sea

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30982, 11 February 1966, Page 10

The Press FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1966. Science And The Sea

The annual conference of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society agreed that more scientists were needed in New Zealand to develop this area of study and research. This is not merely a group furthering its own particular interests. The demand for scientists of high quality is keen in all departments of science: but it is surprising that an island nation has not produced more than a handful of men and women with a scientific interest in the sea. The article by Dr. Anthony Michaelis printed in “ The Press ” last week reviewed the scope rf oceanography which is beginning to enjoy a widespread, if uneven, boom in other countries. New Zealand is unlikely to share in many of the great ocean projects which await development: but it has an immediate interest in marine biology which has for many decades been the most conspicuous branch of oceanography.

The universities and the Government sponsor ’ most research in marine biology; and in recent years efforts to bring new life to the fishing industry have stimulated interest in this field. The universities, particularly the University of Otago and Victoria University, have done much notable work. A committee of the National Research Advisory Council last year nevertheless concluded that activity in all branches of marine science was inadequate. Research was essential, said the committee, for the expansion of the fishing industry, for harbour development, the safety of shipping, the control of coastal erosion, and for waste disposal schemes. Marine research also supplies information for oil, natural gas, and mineral exploration in coastal waters, and its scope includes defence information and protection from seismic sea waves. New Zealand has naturally placed special emphasis on agricultural research. In spite of the high initial cost this policy has paid dividends. Marine research properly directed, will also bring the country immense benefits. The Government has recently improved accommodation and equipment for marine studies in Wellington and it has been preparing accommodation for the fisheries management division of the Marine Department. It has approved the construction of new laboratories for the fisheries research division and a trawler for deep-sea fishing research should be operating soon. But there is still no director of the fisheries research division. This key post has been vacant for more than a year, perhaps because the unhappy experiences of previous directors of research are too well known in the scientific fraternity. The salary offered for the post is small by international standards; but even this drawback might be overlooked by a younger scientist eager to make his mark —provided he was assured of sufficient funds, equipment, and staff, and provided he could feel secure from interference in his work. If the Government is determined to exploit the full possibilities of New Zealand’s fishing industry it will see that these conditions are satisfied.