THE Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) is hoping to spread the message that all life on Earth, including our own, depends on the oceans in its newest exhibit, Healthy Oceans, Healthy Humans, opening in June.The new permanent exhibit, installed in the Science at Sea Room at BUEI, is seen as vital for Bermuda, especially because of the island's close relationship with the ocean.

BUEI director Wendy Tucker said Bermudians for generations had been fascinated by the sea, sustained by its bounty, enchanted by its beauty, punished by its fury and fascinated by its enduring mysteries.

"Now, nearly 400 years after Bermuda was first settled, we are able to explore the oceans' depths and encounter the last great frontier on the planet. Unfortunately, we have not treated the oceans with the respect they deserve," she says.

The oceans cover 71 per cent of our planet and are a basic element that makes all life on Earth possible.

Explaining that oceans drives the climate, feeds us, provides livelihoods and recently has become a major source of breakthrough medicines, she said: "Simply put, all life on Earth depends on the ocean."

Ms Tucker said without it we could not exist.

"Healthy Oceans, Healthy Humans>explains that our health is connected to the ocean. We hope that through this exhibit Bermudians make the connection that everyday actions effect our oceans and our personal choices can preserve the marine environment for future generations."

The exhibit is in partnership with the Centre for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School and coincides with BUEI's tenth anniversary.

The objective of the programme is to create educational materials to inform the public of their human health connections to the ocean environment.

A goal is for viewers and visitors to be able to articulate one way that their health is connected to the ocean environment.

"We believe that this connection will lead to personal choices that help conserve the marine environment as we explore three themes: The Ocean Heals, Nourishes and SustaiI>," she adds.

Ocean He investigates medical applications derived from marine organisms and focuses on cone snails.

"Toxins from these snails are now in use as a treatment for chronic pain and recent studies indicate the treatment is a thousand times more effective than morphine, yet does not lead to addiction or tolerance," Ms Tucker said.

"However, coral reefs — the rich, diverse environments where these snails and many other potentially beneficial organisms, live — are now threatened due to warming and pollution."

She said the Ocean Nourispart of the exhibit examines the role of seafood in the global diet from a nourishment perspective, as well as an economic perspective.

Recent studies have revealed the cardio-protective value of omega-3s, and seafood is a staple for many developing nations. But over-fishing and contaminants such as mercury are now threatening this food supply and its health benefits.

While the Ocean Susts part of the exhibit considers the oceans' role in climate, she said "the oceans help shape our weather and provide the liveable conditions our health depends upon.

"Now, temperature changes in the ocean environment are causing more extreme weather that carries health burdens including losses from droughts and floods."