ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a sketch of the global maritime domain, beginning with important definitions about concepts such as territorial waters and key maritime features. It examines the salient human and national security issues affecting the oceans ranging from pollution to fishing to piracy to drug trafficking. The chapter discusses Maritime disputes between states in various regions of the world—including the South China Sea and the Arctic. Oceans clearly amplify a country's relative power in the world, enabling competent seafaring countries to have global presence, influence, and disproportionate control of territory, people, and commerce. Oceans are still essential for economic development: witness China's rapid economic development through large-scale exports that are made possible by containerized shipping and sea transport. Although oceans have always been an essential part of human social and commercial activity, there is an increased urgency to protect them. Illegal fishing, overfishing, and illegal dumping threaten a significant food source for many countries.
