Opportunities and Uses of the Ocean

The oceans cover about 72 percent of our planet (which is named for the remaining 28 percent). These oceans have fascinated and challenged the human race for centuries. In the past, the ocean had been used first as a source of food and later as a means of transportation. However, the oceans have recently become very important-they may offer a solution to many of our modern problems. For example, refuse from land is to be dumped into the ocean never to be seen again; fish and other biological resources are to be caught and used to meet the protein deficiency of the world; oil and gas from the continental shelf and perhaps deeper areas will eventually solve our energy problems. None ofthese examples is completely possible, and the at- source offood and later as a means of transportation. However, the oceans social, and ecological problems in the marine environment. Countries are al- ready planning how the oceans can be divided up, so that they will get their "fair share". Economists, politicians, and others are producing almost daily, optimistic or pessimistic views (depending upon your own viewpoint) about the ocean and its resources. Equally loud reports come from environ- mentalists, conservationists, government sources, and oil companies con- cerning the pollution and potential destruction of the ocean.