National security

Ocean Exploration Key to Helping U.S. Keep its Economic, National Security Edge

In building a policy agenda for our nation’s future, the Trump Administration has made “America First” its guiding principle. With that in mind, our federal government must continue to invest in U.S. scientists to explore a resource critical to American strength and prosperity – our oceans.
Why invest in undersea research? That’s easy. We are the greatest maritime nation in history and our national security and economic health are inextricably linked to our unique position in the middle of the world’s ocean system.
In addition, half of the United States’ territory is underwater. Put another way, when one counts the U.S. exclusive economic zone – that area seaward from our coastline to about 200 miles – America’s property holding doubles.
But even that resource-rich American property is hardly explored or routinely observed. To understand the dynamics of our submerged world, oceanographic institutions – American institutions – need to explore and observe both close to shore and far out at sea.  Close to shore because it holds American resources.  Far out at sea because our U.S. Navy must dominate there.