陆地和海洋之间的界面是人类自史前时期以来就发现资源的地区。今天,大多数城市位于海岸上或靠近海岸,这些地区的人口正在增长。全世界约2/3的人口现居住在世界各大洲的沿海地区。至少在世界的发展中地区,人口在继续向沿海地区迁徙。在这些地区,沿海为贸易、商业、工业及旅游提供了巨大的潜力。在一些发展中国家中,滨海旅游已成为它们的主要产业。这些国家的另一个重要资源是大陆架上的石油储量。在不久的将来,近海生产将可能成为油气的主要来源。同时,随着这些潜力正在得到开发,数百万家庭依靠沿海资源维 The interface between land and sea is where mankind discovered its resources since prehistoric times. Today, most cities are located on the coast or near the coast, and the population in these areas is growing. About two thirds of the world’s population now live in the coastal areas of all continents. At least in the developing regions of the world, the population continues to migrate to the coastal areas. In these areas, the sea offers great potential for trade, commerce, industry and tourism. In some developing countries, coastal tourism has become their main industry. Another important resource for these countries is the oil reserves on the continental shelf. In the near future, offshore production will likely become the major source of oil and gas. At the same time, as these potentials are being developed, millions of families depend on coastal resources