This video was produced by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs in April 2012. The speaker is Philippe Cousteau, president and co-founder of EarthEcho International and chief spokesman for USA Pavilion 2012.

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Oceans have not gotten their
due recognition for a long time.

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It's also very exciting and
gratifying

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[TEXT] Philippe Cousteau,
Chief Spokesperson, USA Pavilion 2012

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to see that the Republic of
Korea is embracing these issues.

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Seventy percent of this planet
is ocean.

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Well over a billion people
everyday rely on seafood

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as their primary or only source
of protein.

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Oceans regulate our climates.

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They provide the majority of our
oxygen.

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We cannot survive without
healthy oceans.

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And, finally, this dialogue around
ocean conservation

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is reaching a global scale.

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And an expo is an opportunity
for us

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to reach out to millions and
millions of citizens —

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not just in the Republic of
Korea,

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but from around the world — to
really share this message

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of diversity, and wonder, and
excitement, and the majesty,

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and critical importance of
the living oceans and coasts.

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[TEXT] www.pavilion2012.org
Produced by the U.S. Department
of State