Page 11 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

16 NAVA L KNOW LE DGE

in Holhmd, france. ilnd Canada. I-Iowe\'er. it could be done on an otherwise troubled world. In short. sell power gives the United
ne;1r1y evcry seacoast where the tidal range is sufficient. States the ability to car!")' out policy that supports our national
The science of farming of the sea is Gilled aquaculture. This interests and fosters peace in the world.
practice may in time make possible the cultivation of plants and Sea power, however. depends Oil people- highly trained and
fish that can produce a large portion of the protein needed by the dedicated people who belie\'(' ill their missioll. They mllst respond
world's people. mpidly and decisivcl)' to changing world events. It is up to (//1
COJllmercial fisheries have not begun to realize the potentilll of Americans-service people, civilians. professional people. and
the ocellll harvest. They have concentmted on only about 20 vari- students-to learn about the importance of sea power. There is
eties of fish out of more than 20,000 known species. Almost all sea olle I:Kt that we must never forget: the sea and the United States
life is edible. Even tiny high-protein plankton and algae are being arc inseparable.
investigated as possible sources of food.
Humankind has barely begun its search for knowledge of the
ocean's depths. u.s. efforts to increase bllsic Ilnd applied research in
oceanogmphy are quite recent. Our progress hilS been slow. There STUDY GUIDE QUESTIO N S
is no question that we have the cllpability and scientific knowledge
1. \Vhat two major political developments since \"'orld \Var 11
for this efiort. \'Vhllt we must develop is a national awareness of the
have increased the importance of the oceans?
importance of the seils and the will to 1110ve ahead boldly with its
2. \Vhat does "inland reach" mean as related to sea power?
exploration.
3. \Vhat two aspects of nuclear technology have affected
sea power?
The Continuing Importance 4. \·Vhat four ocean Ilreas are of prime strategic importance to
of Sea Power the United Stntes?
No onc denies the growing importance of spllce exploration to S. \Vhat is unique about naval operations in the Arctic Ocean?
the future of humankind. But even as we gaze toward the stars, 6. \Vhat three benefits do our fleets gain because of their ability
dreaming of space ships and distant pill nets. we must stilllivc on to move freely on the high seas?
planet Emth. \Vhile expeditions to distant stars and colonies on the
7. \Vhy is it important for the United States to maintllin a strong
planets or the Moon may happen someday, it is far more practi- merchant marine?
cal to consider the proper use of the Earth for the sustenance of
8. \ Vhat is the importllnce of oceanogrilphic research?
future generations. \,Vith nearly three-fourths of the globe covered
by water. it is inevitable that the oceans will pia)' a vital role ill the
future of the hUl11lln mce. CRITICAL T HINKING
As humankind turns seaward for fresh water, food, oil, natur<.ll
I. Rescilrch how mllch we could reduce our dependence on
gllS, and raw materials. it becomes very evident that no countrr can
importedmilterials if we upgrade recycling programs of all
live in isolation from the rest of the world. The trade routes of the
kinds and seek alterllatives to fossil fuels.
seas have become the arteries of life. Sea power has evolved into an
essential ingredient for sustaining life. political independence. and
economic prosperity. VOCABUL ARY
Balanced sell power makes possible a flexible national str.1t-
deterrence oceanograph)'
egy. \·"ith sea power we can lise the seils for tmde. energy resources.
111erchantl11<1rine littoral nation
and economic development. \·Vc can project power from mobile
mangnl1ese aquaculture
bllses Ilt sell and bring pressure to bear with amphibious forces. \Ve
can prevent trouble from erupting. and suppress it when it does
with the Navy-~vlarine Corps team. \Ve can send our Sailors and
~vlari nes ashore as ambassadors of good will. making friends and
allies confident of our ability to support them in times of trouble
or natural disaster. Our reassuring presence promotes stability in