Owing to those who valiantly challenged the unknown and open sea, the foundation for modern oceanography was laid. 130 years ago, Jules Verne demonstrated his scientific knowledge and fertile imagination in "20,000 Leagues under the Sea". People of our own time should pay attention at least to the EEZ, i.e. 200 miles offshore, or should have therefore one (precisely a half) percent of Verne's imagination and interest in the sea.