Clinton announces plan to increase ocean exploration

June 12, 2000
Web posted at: 6:23 PM EDT (2223 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Hoping to launch "a new era of ocean exploration," President Bill Clinton on Monday announced new administration initiatives to encourage marine research off both U.S. coasts, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico.

President Bill Clinton announced Monday new initiatives to encourage marine research off both U.S. coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico.

"More than 95 percent of the underwater world remains unknown and unseen," Clinton said. "And what remains to be explored could hold clues to the origins of life on Earth, to links to our maritime history, to cures for diseases," Clinton said during an event hosted by the White House Millennium Council.

The president announced a joint venture between federal researchers and private marine research organizations and universities to explore three underwater areas: the Hudson Canyon off the New York-New Jersey coast; deep reefs and sea floor vents off the Gulf coast of Florida; and the Davidson Seamount off central California.

The ventures will be spearheaded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Clinton also announced a directive ordering the Commerce Department to convene a panel of oceanographers and other scientific experts to make recommendations for a new national strategy for undersea exploration.

Scientists also hope to study unusual deep sea life and see if it offers clues to the origins of life on the planet, as well as cures for diseases.

The Hudson River Canyon, less about 100 miles southeast of New York, is widely regarded as the most predominant underwater feature on the eastern seaboard, and is said to be home to many economically and ecologically valuable species.

The Davidson Seamount, about 80 miles southwest of Monterey, California, is a 30-mile long, 9,000-foot-high seamount that rises from the ocean floor. Researchers will explore rock surfaces that are home to an array of unusual deep sea animals, including large patches of sponges and old coral forests.

Scientists will also explore giant worms and mussel beds off Florida's Gulf coast. Deep below the surface, thick mats of bacteria thrive on chemicals that vent from the ocean floor.

Clinton said this area includes "some of the oldest life forms on Earth: Giant tooth worms ... up to 250 years old."

The gathering of distinguished scientists at the White House also heard from Marcia McNutt, a geophysicist who has made 14 ocean expeditions. McNutt said the federal government's funding of ocean studies is only a tenth of that for the space program, and called for equal treatment.

Funding for the projects announce Monday is already included in the federal budget, the White House said.

Monday, June 12, 2000

• Government agrees to pay Nixon estate $18 million for papers
  
• Video: Study shows network news losing viewers to Internet
  
• Gore set to begin 'progress and prosperity tour;' Bush makes long-range plans in Maine
  
• Senate Majority Leader says he won't rush vote on PNTR
  
• Clinton announces plan to increase ocean exploration
  
• White House says Willey letters released to subvert allegations
  
• First lady urges Congress to take up Violence Against Women Act
  
• latimes.com: Bush the son uses policy campaign to distance himself from the father
  
• Federal report on global warming predicts widespread impact on U.S.
  
• Justice Department takes on Visa, MasterCard
  
• Congressional seats draw heavy GOP competition in Virginia, S.C.
  
• Scientists tell Congress missile shield won't work
  
• Kentucky race: Tobacco industry backs doc; docs back tobacco farmer
  
• McCain states firmly will not be vice president
  
• Report: Several Texas death row inmate cases raise questions
  
• Democratic leader urges care on missile system
  
• Post-Giuliani, Hillary Clinton still can't open a gap in polls
  
• Lance Morrow: Aaah! When campaigns were really dirty
  
• Heard of soft money? Meet squishy money
  

ARCHIVES