ABSTRACT
Introduction: The Ocean as a Resource Humans have used the ocean as a resource since their appearance on Earth. Early humans fed from its shores, gathering seaweed and shellfish, and hunting seals. As time went by they learned to travel short distances over it and, eventually, to fish from boats. Later, people learned to exploit the ocean for trade, creating their ports from fine natural harbours. They found other uses for it, too, such as driving mills with tidal power. Maritime nations used the ocean to transport armies, and as a battleground.
