| Secrets of the Seas
by Dr. Ellen Prager |
 |
| Secrets of the Seas
by Dr. Ellen Prager |
|
The Sea.
We are a nation inherently linked to the sea. We look to the ocean for food,
commerce, transportation, security, recreation, health, and environmental
well-being. The sea has inspired a wealth of myths, movies, and classic
works in literature and art.
Unlike nearly anywhere in the United States, Florida is surrounded on three
sides by ocean. We walk on ground created by an ancient sea at a time when
its level was higher than today. We rely on the ocean for billions of
dollars in economic revenue and thousands of jobs through tourism,
recreation, trade, industry, and fishing. In the United States, one out six
jobs is marine related, in Florida the percentage is even higher. In 1997,
some 47 million tourists visited Florida, generating $40.8 billion in
spending and supporting some 799,000 jobs. The majority of the Floridaıs
tourism is ocean related; beach-going, boating, diving, fishing, and
wildlife watching, to say nothing of seafood consumption at our wonderful
array of restaurants. Experts estimate that by 2005, nearly $130 billion
worth of trade will flow through Floridaıs ports. We host the worldıs
busiest collection of cruiseship ports, several military installations, and
the most extensive coral reef of the continental U.S.
Are we doing enough to protect the ocean and invest for our future and the
future of generations to come? While fascinated by the ocean, most people
know little about the wonders of the sea, its strange creatures and their
amazing strategies for living, the oceanıs connection to our weather, and
what our stateıs or nationıs strategy for protecting it is - or isnıt.
It might surprise you to learn that, although the oceans cover nearly
three-quarters of our planet, produce most of the oxygen we breathe,
directly influence our climate and weather, and play a vital role in our
economy, health and safety, our children are not even required to learn
anything about the ocean in their science classes. The oceans are not
included in our national or state standards for learning, the guide by which
all teachers of elementary and secondary schools must follow.
How could this be?
We have no comprehensive national or state strategy to protect and promote
the sustainable use of the oceans.
How could this be?
And we have invested little in ocean exploration and understanding as
compared to space.
How could this be?
This new EcoWatch column ³Secrets of the Sea² is meant to answer some of
these and your own questions about the ocean. Iıll post a new column every
Wednesday afternoon. As a marine scientist who loves working with the public
and sharing my knowledge and experiences with others, it is a pleasure to
have this opportunity to bring some of the wonders of the ocean to you, let
you know what is and is not happening with regard to the sea around us, and
to answer some of your questions.
Just a few weeks ago I received an email from a 28-year old homemaker living
in South Carolina, who had read my recent book, The Oceans. She wrote,
³there were evenings when I literally couldnıt put the book down. I had
to keep interrupting my husband to read parts to him. Honey! Listen to
this! Did you know thatı³. My hope for this column is that I can provoke
you, too, to turn to a colleague, family member or friend and say ³listen to
this, did you know?²
I hope you will want to dive deeper into the delightful depths of the sea
with me and become a more informed and active ocean steward. So, send your
ocean questions to Dr. Ellen Prager at oceans@nbc.com or come to the
EcoWatch website.