Partnerships ― A Key to Ocean Research in the 21st Century

As we move into the 21st century a number of exciting challenges and opportunities await the ocean sciences. Coupled with this are a growing number of responsibilities faced by our discipline. It is clear from the tremendous advances that have taken place in oceanography over the last several decades that ocean research is becoming increasingly relevant to society and to concerns of our citizens relative to economic and social issues. When this is coupled to a rapidly changing global political scene, including decreased military interest in open ocean issues and increased concern about operations in coastal areas, a dramatic opportunity to develop new relationships is presented to us. To take advantage of these opportunities we are beginning to forge fresh and innovative partnerships in the United States between academic oceanography, federal agencies that support research, and private industry, The objective of this paper is to describe the development and status of these new partnerships and encourage similar developments in other areas of the world.