Determining the structure of the United States marine instrumentation industry and its position in the world industry

This report is a general, but comprehensive, description and analysis of industrial organization in the field of marine electronic instrumentation (MEl), a broadly defined "industry," which until now has received little systematic, scholarly attention. The report reviews the current literature on international trade and competitiveness, as well as trade and scientific journals relevant to the industry. The resul ts of a series of interviews with representatives of the industry and responsible government agencies are presented and industry and government data on R&D and output have been collected and analyzed together with other indicators of industrial performance. On the basis of these sources, the structure of the industry and its markets is characterized and the importance of marine electronic instrumenation in international high technology trade is established. Over 350 firms in the U.S. industry are identified, which annually earn total estimated gross revenues of approximately $5 billion. These firms fall into three largely distinct industry groups: (1) defense systems contractors; (2) commercial marine electronics; and (3) scientific instrumentation. The first group is by far the largest in sales volume and is oligopolistic in structure, consisting of a few large rivals for infrequent and complex defense systems contracts. The other groups are more purely competitive. Four major customer groups are distinguished: (1) military; (2) commercial and recreational shipping and boating; (3) offshore oil and gas; and (4) oceanographic/environmental. Most of the firms in the industry face international competititon. The importance of marine electronic instrumentation to technological advance and economic activity in the world's oceans is strongly apparent. Parameters affecting the international competitiveness of firms in this industry, including those relating to industry structure and behavior and governmental practices and institutions such as sponsored research, procurement, intellectual property rights, tax allowances, antitrust enforcement, small business encouragements, export controls, import restrictions, exchange rates, and technology transfer are summarized. A number of issues relating to international competititon, economic analysis, and government policy that are fruitful areas for further research also are identified.Funding was provided by the Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Ocean Service, Office of Marine Operations through a grant to the Massachusetts Centers of Excellence Corporation, grant Number NA87-AA-D-M0037

Dynamic Economic Analysis of Marine Pollution Prevention Technologies: An Application to Double Hulls and Electronic Charts

Marine pollution associated with shipping accidents has resulted in a Congressional mandate for double hulls on tankers in U.S. waters. In this paper, we formulate a social planner's problem using optimal control theory to examine the relative cost-effectiveness of double hulls and alternative pollution retention technologies, and the optimal installation strategy for such technologies. The model encompasses the costs and benefits associated with shipping operations, damage to the marine environment, and investment in each technology. A computer simulation of the model is used to evaluate investment strategies for two technological options: double hulls and electronic chart systems. Results indicate that electronic charts may be a far more cost-effective approach to marine pollution control

Seabed material commodity and resource summaries

Over the past five years, research on marine minerals conducted by the Marine Policy Center at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has attempted to gain a better understanding of the process by which these minerals are brought into productive use in society. This technical report results from concentrated research conducted by a research team under the primary sponsorship of the National Sea Grant College Program. This report provides background documentation for the recent publication: J.M. Broadus, 1987, "Seabed Materials," Science 235(4791): 853-860. It is organized to lead the user directly to sources that may provide further information on particular seabed materials. Several presentations of data in the report are of use in understanding the fundamentals of marine mineral markets including: descriptions of the size of the marine mineral resource base and the size of the markets for onshore and offshore sources of marine minerals; price series for minerals with prospective seabed sources; composite prices for four marine mineral types; consumption and price "elasticities" of mineral reserves; trends in mineral exploration inputs and U.S. federal government expenditures for marine nonfuel resources; maps of existing, proposed, or past entitlements for marine hard minerals; a list of known marine polymetallic sulfide (MPS) deposits and reported grades; world trade flows in zinc and copper; the value of apparent consumption in the United States in relation to imports and recycling; and a bibliography.The Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Sea Grant College Program under grant Number NA86-AA-D-SG090 (WHOI project Number R/S-9) and The J. N. Pew, Jr. Charitable Trust

Issues in the Measurement of Biological Diversity

There are many national and international efforts to conserve biological diversity. However, since conservation resources are scarce, they must be used as effectively as possible. This Article examines recent developments in the definition and measurement of biological diversity . The authors explore the advantages and disadvantages of various measures of biological diversity, and the sensitivity of the optimal allocation of conservation resources to alternative measures. This Article demonstrates the importance of the choice of a biological diversity measure while simultaneously indicating that this choice is only one part of the ultimate goal of conservation

Workshop on Cooperative International Marine Affairs

Held at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass., April 20-21, 1982This report details the results of a workshop held at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHO!) on April 20-21, 1982. The workshop, part of an effort by the Marine Policy and Ocean Management Program (MPOM) of WHO! intended to assist interested developing countries in formulating strategies for ocean resource use and management within their new 200-rnile exclusive economic zones. The effort, presently called the Cooperative International Marine Affairs Program (CIMAP), began in November of 1981 after the William H. Donner Foundation of New York City responded favorably to a proposal submitted by Dr. David A. Ross, Director of MPOM.Prepared by the Marine Policy and Ocean Management Program with funds from the William H. Donner Foundation, the Pew Memorial Trust, and the. Johnson Endowment Fund

Manejo de recursos costeros y marinos para las Islas Galapagos

Spanish edition of WHOI-84-43, "Coastal and marine resources management for the Galapagos Islands"Este informe describe brevemente los usos y problemas de los recursos costeros y marinos en Galapagos, discute los principios generales del manejo de la zona costera y de los recursos marinos, examina la situaci6n actual del manejo de estos recursos en Galapagos, y ofrece observaciones sobre posibles medidas para su mejoramiento. El archipielago ha sido por largo tiempo el objeto de interes cientffico mundial. La creciente demanda sobre los recursos costeros y marinos de las Galapagos, para servir a su poblaci6n en aumento y al turismo, potencialmente lucrativo, da la pauta sobre la necesidad de prestar mayor atenci6n al manejo de estos recursos. Los asuntos y problemas costeros y marinos en Galapagos que pueden ser tratados en un proceso de manejo incluyen: conservaci6n de la biota y los habitats excepcionales de las islas; turismo; desarrollo de areas portuarias; eliminacion de desperdicios; extraccion de recursos; y pesca. Los elementos basicos de un sistema de manejo de zona costera y de recursos marinas existen actualmente en Galapagos, pero tienen un funcionamiento ad hoc y no coordinado. Se describen actuales y posibles ambigliedades o conflictos entre la Marina/Capitanfas de Puerto, las municipalidades, el Parque Nacional, la entidad de desarrollo para Galapagos (INGALA), y otras dependiancias. Se propane un sistema de manejo de dos zonas para los recursos costeros y marinos. Este sistema evita el establecimiento de nuevas sistemas de linderos y instituciones, adaptandose en cambio a la situaci6n actual. Cuatro mecanismos potenciales se identifican: un enfoque de cooperacion administrativa; un consejo de zona costera y recursos marinos; una serie de convenios entre las instituciones representativas; y la aplicaci6n de incentivos. Se discute la posibilidad de la creacion de una area marina protegida, incluyendo razones fundamentales para su establecimiento, su designacion y organizacion, jurisdicciones, linderos y zonificacion, y protecci6n de usos tradicionales.Este informe fue preparado por el Centro de Politica Marina y Manejo Oceanica del Instituto Oceanografico de Woods Hole con la cooperaci6n y la ayuda del Gobierno de Ecuador, y con fondos de las instituciones William H. Donner Foundation, Tinker Foundation, y Pew Memorial Trust

Coastal and marine resources management for the Galapagos Islands

The report briefly describes coastal and marine resource uses and problems in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, discusses general principles of coastal zone management (CZM) and marine resources management (MRM), examines the current status of CZM and MRM in the Galapagos Islands, and offers observations on possible avenues for improvement. The archipelago has long been the object of worldwide scientific interest. Increased demands on its coastal and marine resources, to serve a growing resident population and to accommodate potentially lucrative tourism, signal a need for greater attention to the management of these resources. Coastal and marine affairs and problems in the Galapagos which can be addressed by a CZM/MRM process include: conservation of the Islands' unique biota and habitats; tourism; port development; waste disposal; resource extraction; and fisheries. The basic elements of a CZM and MRM system are already in place in the Galapagos, but they are uncoordinated and largely ad hoc in nature. Existing and potential jurisdictional ambiguities or conflicts between the Navy/Port Captaincies, the municipalities, the National Park, the development agency for the Galapagos (INGALA) and other organizations are described. A two-zone management scheme for coastal and marine resources is outlined. It avoids the establishment of complicated new systems of boundaries and institutions, instead adapting itself to the existing situation. Four possible mechanisms for improved coordination are identified: cooperative management; a coastal zone and marine resources council; a series of agreements ("convenios") between relevant agencies; and application of incentives. The possible creation of a marine protected area is discussed, including rationale for the area's establishment, its designation and organization, jurisdictions, boundaries and zoning, and the protection of traditional uses.This report was prepared by the Marine Policy and Ocean Management Center of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution with the cooperation and assistance of the Government of Ecuador and with funds from the William H. Donner Foundation, the Tinker Foundation and the Pew Memorial Trust