Significance of tides

Tides are long-period waves that make their movement by the ocean in reaction to the exerted forces passed by the sun and the moon. It has a great impact on the life of oceans, including the activities of ocean plants and fishes. However, the fluctuating plants and animals trip the tidal current allying to the breeding areas and deep waters. It helps eliminate pollutants from the spaces and circulate nutrients, which the plants, animals, and ocean need to survive. However, tides’ significance is broader in terms of their navigation, increasing water levels, ocean life, and much more. 

What are tides?

Tides are periodic waves that move through the ocean to respond to the sun and moon’s gravity. It is classified into two types, i.e., High tide and Low tide. Both high and low tides are influenced by the sun’s gravitational force over the moon. They provide great support in fishing. In addition, they eliminate the mud brought by rivers and prevent the space from blocking. 

Significance of tides-

• The fishes in the ocean gather in groups in the tidal phase, lowering the water level. Though, the anglers who visit the oceans for fishing follow the waves of tides to catch their targets. The tidal waves help the fisherman save their time and increase their economic investment precisely. However, the ebb tides (seaward flow in estuaries) attract the large trophy fish, following the concentrations of smaller fishes. 
• The tides even greatly impact ocean life as it helps the fishes and ocean plant in reproduction. The periodic tidal waves carry the travelling plants and animals allying in the deep water and spawning areas. It removes the toxins and waste materials from the oceans and circulates essential nutrients for the survival of ocean plants and animals, marking the significance of tides. 
• Another major significance of tides is  species, food supplies, and coastal zone areas. The coastal zone is a shelter for mussels, crabs, seaweed, snails, and other edible marine life. However, the Sealife in small tide pools is harvested for food. Though these species would rather die, food supplies will deplete if the tides are not washed regularly.

• The tides often impact the depth and currents in or around coastal areas. Ships may even need to cross the path at high tides in some places. While thinking of the right time to fly, the pilots analyze the water, water flow direction, and channel width. The tidal flows help a ship’s operation in the water. The pilots use the current to get the craft where it wants to ship. Eventually, inland shipping and marine efficiency improve after influencing the tidal waves’ navigation information. 
• The tidal waves influenced by weather churn up the ocean waters. The tidal currents and tidal waves combine with arctic water, which absorbs the warmer topic water with light. The stable and habitable climate conditions created by stirring also help balance the global atmosphere, making the significance of tides.
• There are two high tides and two low rides that flow every 24 hours. The good predictability and the rapid water movement during inflow and outflow deliver a renewable energy source for coastal communities. Consequently, the hydroelectric plants optimize the water flow as rivers do. 

Effects of tides

Tidal waves have a positive and negative impact on oceans, shipping described below- 

Positive impact- 

1. High tidal waves take the fish to the creek, which helps in the fishing activity at large. 
2. The tidal waves remove the waste materials and toxins and cleanse the coastal areas. 
3. Tides prevent the blocking of ports with sediments.
4. Ships even move their craft to the port at high tides. 
5. Tidal force helps to generate electricity.
6. Tidal force helps in maintaining coastal biodiversity and mangroves. 
7. High tide waves store the water in salt pans that help obtain salts. 

Negative impact-

A lack of predictability in the timings of high and low tides leads to severe accidents for swimmers entering or visiting the area. 

Need of tides

Tides are paramount when talking about fishing concentration, safe navigation, recreation, and coastal development. Although, tide stations are built to analyze data and measure tides. It helps scientists predict tidal flows and then report the tide table to support various aspects of daily lives. Accurate tidal data is very important for critical fishing, surfing, and other commercial activities that help increase economic investment. 

Conclusion 

Forming a better understanding of the sun and moon’s gravity helps you understand the working of the periodic tides. The gravitational force passed by the sun and the moon define their mass and distance, resulting in the weaker gravity of Earth than the moon. Therefore, predicting the right movement of tidal waves to get the desired effects is essential for navigation, development, fishing, and other economic activities.