Jimmy Carter

“ As governments, international organizations and private groups develop plans and programs to harvest some of the riches of the sea, we must also control marine pollution. We must unlock the secrets of the ocean to understand the results of man's activities-not only at sea, but on land as well-which adversely affect sea-life. ”

“ It is essential that we discover and work with the oceans' capacity to survive misuse. All the peoples of the world must understand that the ocean cannot be subjected to unchecked exploitation, but because our Nation lies between the world's largest oceans, and because of our economic position, the United States has a special responsibility in preventing the deadening of the seas. A careful balance between conservation and commercial development must be achieved if the oceans are to meet the needs of future generations. ”