Author: Brad deYoung, Robert Bartlett Professor of Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Humankind is inextricably dependent on the ocean. Many of our greatest civilizations have thrived on the rim of the ocean. Today, we are more reliant than ever on the ocean for our economic, social and physical well-being. Maritime activities, from global trade to tourism, exceed US$3 trillion annually. The “ocean economy” is the fourth largest in the world. Furthermore, our global economic vitality is largely due to the cost-effective nature of ocean transportation, which contributes to the reduced price per ton of shipped goods. From submarine cables to shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, we are increasingly reliant on the blue economy.…