Subject: Physical Geography

The world's oceans, covering 71% of Earth's surface, serve as vast reservoirs of untapped resources that can potentially address global resource challenges.

Major Ocean Resources and Their Potential

Energy Resources

• Tidal Energy: Harnessing tidal movements through barrages and turbines, with India having an estimated potential of 54 GW of ocean power generation capacity.
• Wave Energy: Significant potential along coastal regions, with 12.4 GW potential from wave power in India, particularly along the southern coast and Gujarat peninsular region.
• Thermal Energy: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) utilizing temperature differences between surface and deep waters.

Mineral Resources

• Polymetallic Nodules: Rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt, found in deep ocean floors.
• Marine Sediments: The marine dredging industry extracts approximately 6 billion tons of sand and sediments annually.
• Placer Deposits: Containing valuable minerals like gold, platinum, and diamonds in continental shelf regions.

Biological Resources

• Marine Fisheries: Global exports reaching $114 billion in 2023, contributing significantly to food security.
• Marine Biotechnology: Extraction of pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds from marine organisms.
• Aquaculture: Sustainable farming of fish and other marine organisms.

Challenges and Solutions

Environmental Concerns

• Ecosystem Disruption: Deep-sea mining and dredging activities impact marine biodiversity.
• Solution: Implementation of regulations by International Seabed Authority (ISA) for sustainable resource extraction.

Technological Limitations

• Deep-sea Operations: Need for advanced technology for deep-water resource extraction.
• Solution: International cooperation like EU-India initiatives worth €41 million focusing on marine research and technology development.

Economic Viability

• High Initial Costs: Significant investment required for ocean resource exploitation.
• Solution: Public-private partnerships and international funding mechanisms.

The sustainable exploitation of ocean resources requires a balanced approach between resource utilization and environmental protection. The recent EU-India Trade and Technology Council initiatives demonstrate the growing international cooperation in developing sustainable ocean resource management practices while ensuring environmental conservation.