The public/private partnership: Ensuring the future of basic oceanographic research

How can the National Ocean Service (NOS) and private industry work together to best use our resources to realize the full potential for ocean use? The current Administration has emphasized the necessity of fostering strong private industry/government partnerships. In doing this, the government should provide basic research, but private industry must put it to work. NOS is fulfilling its mandate of providing basic oceanographic research and has established partnerships with industry in order to develop cooperative projects that are mutually beneficial and effect technology transfer. Through activities such as the NOAA Users´ Conference and regional Project PORTS workshops, private industry has learned of NOS´s services and NOS has increased its awareness of the oceanographic industry´s needs. In order for NOS to continue to meet those needs, more attention must be focused on the importance and usefulness of applied oceanographic products. Only when the public is aware of the vast potential and applicability of ocean resources will the necessary support be found for basic oceanographic research.