These new techniques offer new career opportunities. The data systems for gathering, maintaining, and disseminating remotely sensed data must be continually improved and expanded. New products and services will be required. Oceanographic data collection and interpretation will become more dependent on computers and mathematical modeling. Scientists with backgrounds in mathematical modeling will be among those most highly sought.
Computer programming is also another important area for job opportunities.
Research and public policy opportunities related to environmental and coastal issues will also increase. Oceanographers will be needed to help forecast and solve the major problems of global change. Future employment opportunities in the area of national defense are expected to be good. The Navy, for example, will continue with its global reach, but will also have a focus on coastal areas. Shipboard and shore-based computer support of the fleet includes systems for submarine detection and meteorological and ocean current forecasting.