We all live on a water planet.  Over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, and a large portion of this percentage is salt water - our oceans.   The ocean is more than just a pretty place to visit on vacations.  It provides us with food, water and even air.  Life on this planet would be vastly different without the ocean's bountiful gifts.

In recognition of the importance of the marine environment, the United Nations has declared 1998 as The International Year of the Ocean.  This designation provides governments, businesses and individuals  with the opportunity to raise the public's awareness of the importance of our ocean ecosystem, and the critical problems facing it.

More than half of the world's population now lives within 60 miles of a coastline - and this number is increasing rapidly.  More and more, people are turning to the ocean for living, employment and recreation opportunities.  With the development of coastal areas has come a decline in water quality, increased displacement of wildlife, and accelerated  shoreline erosion - the health of the ocean ecosystem is threatened.  Long-term planning is desperately needed to stem this tide of coastal destruction.

Not only does the ocean give us a place to live and work and play, it also provides food for our tables.  The ocean supplies the largest source of protein in the world.  Annual global fish production exceeds that of beef, poultry and eggs.  Yet of the world's 17 largest fisheries, 15 are now suffering from the effects of over fishing and/or marine pollution.

The time to take action is now!  We cannot afford to sit idly by while our oceans are crying out for help.  It is no longer someone else's problem.  We must all work together to stop the destruction of our water planet.  It is not too late to ensure the health and survival of our oceans, but it will take an effort.  People aren't interested in protecting what they don't love - and they won't love what they don't understand.  It is up to us to make others aware of the beautiful world that exists under the waves so that they, too, shall fall in love with the ocean.
 

To find out more about The Year of the Ocean, and what you can do to help, please visit one of these sites:
 

  NOAA International Year of the Ocean Home Page

   Ocean98

   U. S. Environmental Protection Agency - Year of the Ocean Information Page