- Oceans cover 70% of the planet’s surface.
- More than 90% of the planet’s living biomass is found in the oceans.
- 40% of the world’s population lives from the first 60km near the coast.
- ¾ of the mega cities of the world are located near the shores of the planet.
- On 2010 approximately 80% of the world’s population lives within the first 100km from the coasts of the planet.
- More than 90% of goods traded between countries are transported by vessels across the world’s oceans.
- There are about 4000 species of fish living in the coral reefs of the world, which makes coral reefs one of the most important ecosystems in the oceans.
- More than 3.5 million people depend on the oceans as their main source of food. By year 2025 this number could be duplicated.
- Mangroves provide habitats for 85% of commercial fish stocks in the tropics. The Great Barrier Reef that measures around 2000km long, is the longest living structure on earth and can be seen from the moon.
Source: http://www.eurocbc.org: 50 Key facts about oceans.
