Manned submersible technology - opening the ocean to scientific study

Since creating NOAA more than 30 years ago, the nation is reassessing its ocean policy with a focus on the next 30 years. We are finding that we know a lot about the oceans but very little about the way life systems interact and survive. All the management and policies of the world will not help unless we come to understand the functioning parameters of this vital eco-system. The desire for a bold change in policy must first translate into an attitude change in the way we study the oceans. We will not solve this colossal challenge within the confines of our research labs. We must acknowledge that there is no substitute to going out into the field. This paper proposes that not only are manned submersibles not an irrelevant technology but in fact a necessary cornerstone for future oceans discoveries to further the gathering of scientific data in support of more effective and precise management of ocean policies.