- Understand our planet
- The oceans are a key part of the planet's ecosystem, and exploring the oceans can help us understand how the planet works and how it will change in the future. The planet is mostly water and we have to explore most of it to know most of our own planet that we live in.
- Find resources
- The oceans contain a wide variety of resources that can benefit humans, including food and energy.
- The oceans have long sustained some human communities through direct use of marine life, particularly in coastal communities. Fish and shellfish are nutritious and healthy sources of food that are low in saturated fat.
- Develop new technologies
- Exploring the oceans can lead to the development of new technologies, such as new medical treatments and new ways to generate energy.
- The challenges of exploring the oceans can lead to new technological innovations. For example, the development of deep-sea submersibles, sonar systems, and remote-sensing instruments was directly related to the exploration of the ocean.
- Protect the environment
- Exploring the oceans can help us understand how human activities are harming the environment, and what can be done to stop this damage.
- Learn more about our history
- The oceans are home to a wealth of archaeological treasures that can tell us about the history of human civilisation, including the origins of life and the movements of early humans.
