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PREFACE During 1994, the Ocean Studies Board (OSB) has expanded its ' '' from a primarily open ocean, basic oceanography focus activities in coastal science, fisheries, and science policy. composition evolved to reflect the new mixture of studies. In selecting its studies, the Board's goal is to balance activities requested by agency sponsors with proactive activities that are identified as important by the ocean science community. A principal role of the Board is to serve as an open forum for ocean scientists to bring science and science policy concerns for discussion and action. In their totality, the thirteen reports produced by the OSB in 1994 represent the Board's proactive approach toward the critical issues in ocean sciences and ocean policy. In general, the 1994 reports continue the implementation of the recommendations of the OSB report Oceanog- raphy in the Next Decade: Building New Partnerships, which focused on the need for strengthened partnerships between the federal government and the academic oceanography community. This report also identified the importance of oceanographic research to many of the nation's social concerns. The Board focused on these issues, producing the report The Ocean's Role in Global Change. Another report, Understanding Marine Biodiversity: A Research Agenda for the Nation, will be published in early 1995 based on meetings held in 1994. The Board has continued discussions with federal agencies that fund or carry out marine research to define ways to improve interactions. There is great pressure within some agencies to shift their funding to more applied issues, and from the open ocean to the coastal area. The OSB responded to this shift of priorities with reports that should help the agencies with their new emphases. However, the Board highlights the absolute importance of continuing substantial basic science efforts. Ocean sciences must retain a healthy infrastructure in order to contribute to the understanding and possible solution of present ocean- related problems and problems that have not yet been anticipated. The OSB continues to encourage the development and maintenance of this infrastructure. Some pressing issues regarding the health of ocean science infrastructure include funding of basic ocean science in the Uniter! States and adequacy of present mechanisms for funciing capital and operating costs for facilities. ~ wish to thank the members of the Ocean Studies Board ant! its committees for their efforts during what ~ believe was a most productive year. On behalf of the Board and its committees, ~ thank the OSB staff members for their continued hard work and dedicated effort. We look forward to 1995. breadth to include The Rnard -a - r - r William Merrell Chairman ,; _~ . Ace, .~ ". . . The thirteen reports produced by the OSB in 1994 represent the Board 's proactive appr- oach toward the critical · · - Issues In ocean sciences and ocean policy. " · ~ V11
