The sea floor is no less varied than the land, with an abundant variety of large and small mountains, depressions, and cliffs. Proposals for names of notable underwater features must be presented to the committee responsible for underwater geographical names and receive their approval in order to be registered internationally. The naming and registration of geographical features based on detailed surveys is extremely important not only for academic reasons, but for many other purposes as well, including ocean management. There is a need for the continued vigorous promotion of these activities in the future.

The sea cucumber, an essential ingredient in fine Chinese cuisine, has in recent years increased many fold in Japan, to the extent that they are now referred to as 'black diamonds.' Also, in the Galapagos Islands, disputes have repeatedly arisen between fishermen who want to continue their harvesting of sea cucumber and the government, which is anxious that stocks could become exhausted. As a subject taken up for discussion at meetings for the CITES (Convention of International Trades in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), there is a need for a global strategy to manage sea cucumber resources.

The network of canals across the European continent extends for 50,000 kilometers. Seven of the major rivers, including the Rhine, Rhone, and Danube, were connected by man-made canals from the 17th century, bringing villages across the continent into the network. Those same canals are now popular as cruise routes. Allowing you to re-discover Europe from the perspective of the waterways, there is nothing like the pleasure a canal cruise affords.