The successful resolution of these problems requires the intensive involvement of well-educated marine technicians, knowledgeable in both basic science and engineering concepts, and in their application to the marine environment. The installation of the first transoceanic fiber-optic cable system in 1988 was accompanied by predictions that the system would not be filled to capacity for at least ten years. However, capacity was reached within only eighteen months. The fisheries market is ripe with opportunities for providers of technologically advanced products and services. Pair that will the satellite-based electronics for shipboard use, and you find a real technological revolution sweeping the world's fishing fleets.
Aquaculture also shows a trend towards the use of technology.
As this industry expands in response to the increasing worldwide demand for seafood, the need for technicians who can develop and work with sophisticated water quality equipment and other aquaculture technology will grow. Ocean circulation, currents, and waves are observed remotely more and more frequently, providing valuable data to researchers and industry users. New demands for improved measurements and transmission will require more sophisticated equipment and individuals capable of operating it. Government assessment, management, and regulation Federal agencies that require marine technicians include the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Navy. That need extends to the state level as well.