UO_Using the Ocean Module Overview

Oceanography module overview (1)

The ocean is a huge and mysterious part of nature. It's really important to us humans because we get so many things from it, like food, energy, and ways to have fun, like swimming or surfing. But because we rely on the ocean so much, we need to take good care of it so that it stays healthy and we can keep using it for generations to come. In this module, we'll learn all about how we use the ocean and why it's important to be responsible and take good care of it.

Remember, the ocean is a  living organism, where every element—from the tiniest nutrient cycles to the massive tectonic movements—plays a crucial role in its health and functionality. 

Questions to think about (8 x 1.5 in).gif

  1. What are the primary ways in which humans use the ocean, and what benefits do these activities provide?  
  2. How do these activities impact the marine environment, and what are the potential consequences if these impacts are not managed? 
  3. What strategies can be implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of human activities on the ocean? 

  1. Aquaculture: The breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other organisms in all types of water environments. 
  2. Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, often used as a measure of the health of biological systems. 
  3. Clean Water Act (CWA), 1972: A major U.S. law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas. 
  4. Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), 1972: A federal law that provides a framework for states to deal with coastal issues on an integrated and comprehensive basis while giving flexibility to state and local governments to develop their own management programs. 
  5. Conservation: The action of conserving something, in this case, marine environments, aimed at protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. 
  6. Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. 
  7. Endangered Species Act (ESA), 1973: A U.S. law designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation." 
  8. Habitat Destruction: The process in which natural habitat is rendered unable to support the species present; in this context, it often results from human activities. 
  9. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 1976: The primary law governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters, aiming to prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and manage fisheries to achieve optimal yield. 
  10. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 1972: A U.S. law that prohibits the take (i.e., harassment, hunting, capture, or killing) of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas. 
  11. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), 1972: Also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, which regulates intentional ocean disposal of materials, and authorizes related research. 
  12. Maritime Regulations: Laws and regulations that govern the operation of ships and the transportation of goods and passengers at sea. 
  13. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 1970: A U.S. environmental law that promotes the enhancement of the environment and established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). 
  14. National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA), 1972: Authorizes the designation of National Marine Sanctuaries in U.S. waters to protect significant natural and cultural resources. 
  15. Oil Pollution Act (OPA), 1990: A U.S. law designed to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills, establishing provisions that expand the federal government’s ability to respond and providing the funds and resources necessary to respond to oil spills. 
  16. Overfishing: The depletion of a fish stock by too much fishing, which can lead to the stock's collapse. 
  17. Pollution: The introduction of harmful materials into the environment, in this case, into marine environments, which can be from sources like oil spills, plastic waste, and chemical runoff. 
  18. Renewable Energy: Energy from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited; renewable resources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. 
  19. Submerged Lands Act (SLA), 1953: Grants individual U.S. states the rights to the natural resources of the seabed and subsoil within their coastal waters, up to three miles from the coast. 
  20. Sustainability: The use of natural resources in a way and at a rate that does not deplete them or otherwise cause long-term damage to the environment. 

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Lesson 1- Introduction to Humans & The Ocean 

Lesson 2- Alternative Energy 

Lesson 3- Recreation and Transportation 

Lesson 4- Policies and Laws 

Lesson 5- Sustainability Plan

 

UP NEXT:  Introduction to Humans & The Ocean   

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