The oceans sustain life on this planet. They affect and moderate temperatures and dramatically influence global climate. The oceans recycle and clean the air we breath. They absorb greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels. The oceans are a source of many economic resources including food and petroleum. They provide a means of transportation and are a recreational resource as well. Just look at how important our oceans are:
Transportation
Historically: fish, furs, spices
Growth of Seaports
Commerce: container ships
Immigration
Tourism: cruise ships
Warfare: nuclear submarines
destroyers
convoys
Medicine
Drugs
Ecotourism
Visiting Historic Places -
Louisbourg
Viewing Scenery:
Cabot Trail
Treasure Hunting
Recreation: Sailing
Swimming
Scuba diving
Hiking
Harvesting
Irish Moss
Dulse
Fish
Seals
Whaling
Natural Resources
Natural Gas
Minerals
Oil
Aquaculture
Sea Urchins
Tuna
Salmon
Trout
Mussels
Oysters
Scientific Studies
Bathymetric Mapping
Hydrography
Surveying
Fisheries Research
Climate
Weather
Moderates Temperature
Effects Currents
Effects Habitats of Sea Life
Effects of Migration Patterns of Sea Life
Fourteen billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the world's oceans each year!
Farmers -pesticides and fertilizers
Effects: - lower reproduction rates and
increased stress on fish, so are less healthy
Transportation - ships cleaning ballasts
- zebra mussels in the Great Lakes
- ships emptying garbage and sewage
- oil spills
- cruise ships with large amounts of sewage
Fishermen - batteries, tin cans, oil, gas, old tires fishing gear ("ghost nets", plastic, ring tabs, lobster traps, non-biodegradable materials in general, and fish guts
Effects: bacteria are produced, which form a layer of slime on fish and plants. This results in decreased oxygen and increased disease.
Industries - pulp and paper - chemicals, acid rain
Pleasure Boaters and Recreation - plastics, bags, bottles, wrappers,
Webquest - "You are an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency. Your boss, Mr. Walkerton, has just asked you to create a pamphlet or brochure ..."
Effects: bacteria are produced, which form a layer of slime on fish and plants. This results in decreased oxygen and increased disease. 
