Ocean and Industry
More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans. Oceans not only help regulate our climate and generate most of the oxygen we breathe, but they also have major implications for other industries: the shipping and transportation industry, the oil industry, the entertainment industry, the fishing industry, and many more. These industries have grown over the years and with growth came an increase in demand from the oceans, which has left oceans with a lack of resources to sustain marine life by itself.
Historically, oceans have been a means for commercial purposes since around 1000 to 600 BC, leading to the development of maritime trade networks, most of which are still used today. For example, the exploration of oceans eventually led to the discovery of America in 1492 when Christopher Columbus traveled to explore “the new world." This form of exploration changed the course of history, and now these oceanic routes are used mostly for social transportation as well as commerce. To learn more about the shipping industry and how it has impacted marine life, click on shipping and transportation.
Through the years, oceans have been explored to facilitate society with more than just routes for commerce and travel, for example oil drilling. The first oil was discovered in China in the early years of 600 BC and it was transported using bamboo; while the first oil drilling in ocean waters took place in 1896 off the coast of California. Now, the oil industry is one of the most economically profitable industries in the world, yet it comes with environmental costs. To learn more about the impact of the oil industry on marine life, click on oil extraction.
Another industry that has grown thanks to the oceans, but has also caused detrimental effects to the oceans, is the entertainment industry. The oceans were always a wonder to the public, with people knowing little about what happens beneath the surface of the ocean. In the 19th century, people got the chance to experience underwater life by the invention of diving helmets and suits, and then aquariums provided greater opportunities for a broader and more diverse audience to observe marine life up close. The entertainment industry, however, now goes beyond just observing animals: it involves movie-making, recreational boat rides, pet stores, and even trying to find old shipwrecks at over 10,000 feet deep below the surface. To learn more about the impact of the entertainment industry in marine life, click on entertainment.
Last but not least, the next industry is fishing; starting from the basics of fishing, the oceans have been used as a resource to obtain food since the 1600s. The first method of fishing was trawling, which utilized very large nets pulled between fishing vessels, something that is still commercially used now and unfortunately poses a large threat to ecosystems due to the collection of bycatch. The rod and reel, which were initially made out of wood and metal rings, was first used in the late 1800s, and kept innovating through the years until it became a whole industry in the early 1900s. It is now not only a method of fishing for survival, but also has become a popular pastime and even a sport. To learn more about fishing, the food industry, and their impact on the environment, click on fishing.
