Water

Water knowledge

Uses

Water, sea and fish

Oceans are important not only for the plentiful food they can offer to man through fishing. From an ecological point of view, they provide over one half of the goods and services required to maintain the vital balance of the planet and host more animal species than any other system on Earth. In addition, through their volume and density, they absorb, store and carry large amounts of heat, water and nutritional substances. Fishing covers on average 16% of the world’s requirement of animal proteins. Underwater deposits supply one fourth of the oil and gas requirement, and over one half of trade goes by sea. Over two billion people live within the 100 km of the coastal stretch, sometimes in heavily urbanised areas; not to mention the tourists that crowd the beaches every year. Our well-being also depends, therefore, on the well-being of the oceans and seas.