Editing Pacific Ocean (section)

== Economy and transport ==
The Pacific supports major shipping routes between East Asia and the western coast of North America. Container traffic crosses the North Pacific between industrial ports in China, Japan and Korea and terminals in the United States and Canada. Southern routes connect Australia and New Zealand with Asian markets and the western coast of South America.

Pacific fisheries provide food and export income for coastal states and island countries. Tuna fisheries operate across large areas of the tropical ocean. The nutrient-rich waters off Peru and Chile support the anchoveta fishery, which is strongly affected by changes in upwelling during El Niño. Submarine communication cables cross the ocean floor between continents and island territories. Their landing stations connect national telecommunications systems to international networks. Damage from earthquakes or underwater landslides can interrupt service until repair ships reach the affected section.

Exclusive economic zones extend around Pacific coasts and islands. Small island states may therefore control marine areas much larger than their land territory. These zones determine access to fisheries and seabed resources. Disputes have also developed over maritime boundaries and sovereignty over islands.