The seas have always been one of mankind's biggest and most significant natural resources. In the past, primarily for food, shipbuilding, transport, and naval defences; more recently for oil and gas, and tourism; and now, increasingly, for 'blue' biotechnology, robotics, seabed mining, and renewable energy. It's no surprise, then, that coastal nations see their seas as vital national assets, and are putting an ever greater emphasis on protecting them. More countries are applying to the UN to extend their continental platform, and more companies are competing for the opportunity to explore and exploit them. The potential is as vast as the sea itself: over 70% of the planet is covered by water, and yet even now, only 5% of the seabed has been mapped and photographed.
