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Do you like to breathe? I assume you do; it’s a habit of most people. Are you aware that terrestrial plants are wholly insufficient for our oxygen needs? Phytoplankton in the ocean are responsible for the production of about 70% of atmospheric oxygen. In fact, just one genus of plankton alone - Prochlorococcus - is responsible for about one in five breaths that you take. Additionally, did you know that the amount of phytoplankton in the ocean has declined by 40% since 1950, most likely due to rising ocean temperatures? If mathematicians are capable of efficiently converting carbon dioxide to oxygen on a massive scale, we’re all set. If not, it’s best to monitor oxygen and plankton levels and, if necessary, decide what protective measures should be taken. </p>
<p>Fish is an important part of most diets, and only China and Japan consume more fish than the US. Each year, Americans consume around 5 billion pounds of seafood. Roughly 85% of that seafood is imported; American aquaculture accounts for a shockingly low 2% of American seafood consumption, in marked contrast to the 45-50% made up by foreign aquaculture. It is clear that the US is sadly lagging in aquaculture, and marine biologists are vital in the selection and management of viable species. This is particularly important since studies estimate that somewhere between 75% and 80% of the world’s fisheries are overfished, many of them drastically so. The worldwide population of krill has fallen by 80% due to climate change and (Japanese) fishing, with vertebrate species like whales, penguins, and most fish taking a tremendous hit as a result. It’s the marine equivalent of wiping out the vast majority of terrestrial grass. </p>
<p>Are you familiar with the field of marine biomedicine? The ocean is a veritable cornucopia of untapped and unidentified chemical compounds that show tremendous promise for drug development. For example, marine biologists at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography recently isolated a previously unknown compound, hoiamide A, from cyanobacteria that could assist with a number of neurodegenerative disorders. The compound batzelline, found in sponges, has been proven to be effective against cancer. There are numerous other examples. </p>
<p>Marine organisms have also proven themselves useful in engineering. Many fish like tuna approach nearly 100% propulsion efficiency. Marine biologists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution worked with engineers from MIT to develop boats that emulated the movement of penguins and tuna and exceeded 85% efficiency; existing boats are typically less than 70% efficient.</p>
<p>In short, yes, marine science has a great deal to offer people, particularly when coupled with its sister disciplines of chemistry, geology, and engineering. Perhaps more importantly, it has the ability to affect people on a global scale, including people of all nationalities and social classes – something an iPod does not. Marine biology seems to conjure notions of Jacques Cousteau and David Attenborough to people ignorant of the larger implications of the field, and while they are entertaining to many, the importance of marine science and indeed the ocean in general goes far beyond mere entertainment value and simply cannot be overstated.</p>