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xii INTRODUCTION Nations, by the turn of the th century more than half of the world’s population lived within  miles of the shoreline. Although coastal development has lead to erosion, destruction, and pollution of habitat used by many ocean species, the greater scientifi c understanding of the impacts of coastal development has resulted in remediation and well-planned growth that has resulted in dramatic improvements in water quality and the improved habitats for many species in the United States and other developed nations since the s. Many commercial entities have successfully altered their operations to comply with environmental regulations, proving that development and environmental protection are not confl icting goals. Fishing methods have not only changed drastically through the centuries, but the innovations that made possible over fi shing have, in turn, spurred the scientifi c work regarding how to increase fi sh populations, and the increase in fi sh farming to supply world markets. Moreover, from an international relations per- spective, competing interests have given rise to diplomatic measures (treaties, interna- tional laws, and regulating bodies) that try to equitably manage the use of the seas for shipping, fi shing, mining, and energy exploration. Th e seas and waterways were an integral aspect of world history, and are certain to remain so. But as the incomes and leisure time of a growing world population rises, there will be ever greater pressure to increase trade, transportation, and economic de- velopment along the rivers, lakes, and coast lines of the world. Hopefully, prudent pol- icy and advances in science and engineering will make this development sustainable development.