"...the ocean is a mysterious living universe critically important to the functioning of the planet. But even if you support ocean exploration only because of its potential to increase national wealth, encourage ocean conservation, improve public health, regain U.S. technological superiority, and promote science literacy for the public, aren’t these reasons good enough?"

Marcia McNutt's written testimony on Ocean Exploration as delivered to the Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans and the Science Subcommittees on Research and Environment, Technology and Standards