The oceans are the trading routes for the planet

The U.S. maritime transportation system carries 95 percent of U.S. foreign trade. Each year, ships move two billion tons of freight in and out of our nation's ports.

The U.S. economy is very dependent on the health of the ocean. Consider the following facts: Through the fishing and boating industry, tourism and recreation, and ocean transport, one out of six jobs in the U.S. is marine-related.

Trade across the ocean contributes over $700 billion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product while employing 13 million Americans. Coastal and marine waters support over 28 million jobs, while providing tourist destinations for 189 million Americans each year. U.S. consumers spend over $55 billion for fishery products annually.

For more information:
NOAA's Coastal and Ocean Resource Economics