The year 2275 finds Earth's natural resources practically exhausted. Doctor Paul Dexter and Professor Quantock are attempting to perfect the gillpack, a method which will enable men to take oxygen into the bloodstream directly from the sea instead of needing apparatus for breathing underwater. But they are harried by Javier Zelig, a minister of the Superior Committee who is intent upon securing world power and planning to use the invention for more sinister operations. Dexter is an idealist, and Quantock is aware that sea farming and Marine Agriculture are the only means of saving the world from certain extinction. They work tirelessly to achieve their ends amidst a welter of intrigue and daunting restrictions. It is a race against time, against the evil greed of Man-and the balance is an age-old one-Right against Wrong!