The purposes of the consortium are to provide educational programs in marine sciences on both the undergraduate and graduate levels, to promote and encourage pure and applied research in marine sciences and related areas, to promote and encourage communication and dialogue among those interested in marine sciences and to do and perform all other acts and things which may be incidental to and come legitimately within the scope of any and all of the foregoing objects and purposes or which may be necessary or appropriate for the carrying out and accomplishment of any and all foregoing objects.