In times past, the oceans were the only transportation route between the eastern and western hemispheres. Also, the oceans have always been important for fish and other food resources. For these reasons, people have tended to live within an easy distance of the seashore. As of 1994, more than 60 percent of the world's population—about 2.5 billion people—lived in or around cities located on the coast. That number is expected to jump to 6.3 billion by the year 2028.

Impact of the Seashore on Human Life

Because people have always lived along the seashore, it has had an important effect on human life.

Food Various species of seaweed are used by people as food and in food preparations. Humans also eat many of the animals that are found along shorelines, including crabs, mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, fish, turtles, and turtle eggs. Anchovies, tiny fish that live in shallow coastal...