Did Cousteau believe the ocean was inexhaustible?
There was a common misconception, perhaps born of the ocean's immense size, that its resources were limitless. My observations, however, revealed a different story. Even in my time, the strains on marine life were becoming apparent – the declining fish stocks, the damage to coral reefs. The ocean is a delicate system, and our actions have consequences. The 'silent world' is not silent because it is empty, but because it is teeming with life that deserves our respect and careful stewardship. We cannot treat it as an endless dumping ground or an infinite larder.
Ask Jacques Cousteau the follow-up →