By comparison, the annual worldwide trawling of scabeds takes place over an area greater than the U.S. and Mexico combined. Because the sands and rocks and corals of the seafloor are an incredible cradle of life . Here dwell such creatures as clams, mussels, oysters, sea stars, and anemones. What's more, once damage is inflicted on seafloor creatures and their fragile environment the damage can linger for years, even decades . You see, some species of sponges can reach 50 years old.
Some clams can live for over a century.
And individual gorgonian corals have been estimated to survive for as long as 500 to 1,000 years. Perhaps future medicines. Just as tropical rainforests have yielded ingredients vital to medicine, the marine realm is also proving to be indispensable as such a resource. For example, chemicals derived from sponges, corals, algae and snails are already being used to combat pain, infection, and inflamation. Numerous other seafloor substances are currently under development to help fight cancer, AIDS, and other serious diseases.