Many people may first of all associate research in marine biology with fish aquaculture technology or the migration patterns of sea eels. However, one after another, the fruits of marine biology research are now proving useful at the leading edge of medicine and biotechnology, though this fact is little known in Japan. This paper introduces the history and current activities of the Misaki Marine Biological Station, an outpost on the leading edge of marine biology, and discusses the value of marine life. 
It is hoped that by this the Japanese people will come to better understand the mountain of riches the ocean represents and more young researchers may wish to get involved in the field.
Selected Papers No.11(p.15)

Vestiges of human activity are to be found not only on land but in the ocean as well. Shipwrecked vessels carrying cargoes of pottery are one such example. There are coastal areas where great quantities of pottery are being brought to the surface due to environmental changes brought on by development. Damage to underwater archaeological sites is far more likely to go unnoticed than to those on land, but the pottery now being washed ashore is alerting us to the changes taking place on the sea floor. Many underwater archaeological sites have already been destroyed without being observed. To help prevent this in the future, there is an urgent need to compile a database of underwater archaeological sites.

Post-Panamax ships too big to pass through the Panama Canal have now been introduced onto the world's main shipping routes. In response to increasing ship size and transit of the canal, the Panama Canal Authority began work in 1996 on a modernization plan. In September of 2007, work was begun on a 3rd canal lock capable of accommodating post-Panamax vessels.