We need more information about the U. S. EEZ

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Sea Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5893630

In 1983, the United States extended its soverign rights and jurisdiction over the natural resources of the ocean out to 200 nautical miles through a presidential proclamation of a US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This proclamation brought to the nation's attention the enormous potential of the waters and seabed surrounding the United States. Present and possible future uses of the EEZ seabed are as varied as the region itself. In addition to the recovery of hydrocarbon and hard mineral resources, it is the site of extensive commercial fisheries, communication cables, and military activities. Potential uses include ocean energy resources, deep ocean water for agriculture and cooling, pharmaceutical research, archaeology, transport, and recreation, as well as consideration for disposal of various classes of wastes and sediments. If we expect to manage these uses and protect the environment, then we must have much more information about the characteristics and behavior of the EEZ waters and seafloor. Since 1983, the USGS and the NOAA have carried out a program to characterize the seafloor of the US EEZ. A stable, long-term national program for gathering information about seabed resources, hazards, and processes will require a partnership of data users and providers in order to target limited resources towards priority activities that will meet user needs and lead to timely attainment of national goals for the ocean. This article reports on the progress made thus far and plans for the future.

• OSTI ID: 5893630
• Journal Information: Sea Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Sea Technology; (United States) Vol. 34:9; ISSN 0093-3651; ISSN SEATAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
BATHYMETRY
COORDINATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS
DATA ACQUISITION
EXPLORATION
INFORMATION NEEDS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MARINE SURVEYS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OCEANOGRAPHY
OFFSHORE SITES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
SEA BED
SURVEYS
US DOI
US GS
US NOAA
US ORGANIZATIONS