Sustainable Uses of the Oceans
Environment
Until recently the oceans seemed too large to be polluted or overfished, and there has been little understanding of the sustainable limits of their use. But recently both sea pollution and a deepening crisis of fish stocks have become global concerns. Coral reefs, 'the rainforests of the sea', are nurseries for a vast variety of species. Today they are under unprecedented pressure from pollution, mining and global warming. We need a far better understanding of what measures are required to protect the oceans as a global commons and to enhance sustainable practices.
How can global agreements for ocean protection be implemented? How can individual countries learn from best practice in sustainable fishing? How can oil spills, pollution and harmful emissions from shipping be minimised? Can global measures to protect coral reefs be made to work? Can fish farms compensate for loss of fish stocks in the oceans? Can the ecological and health problems associated with fish and prawn farming be overcome?
