The earth’s oceans play a crucial role in maintaining the global environmental equilibrium. Healthy and functioning oceans provide essential services to human communities that support economic wellbeing, and human health. This includes providing food, shoreline protection, a source of non living resources for energy and trade, recreation, culture and a critical role in regulating the earth’s climate.

Unfortunately, human activities are putting the oceans under increasing pressure. The resulting changes in the marine environment are occurring at a faster pace than anticipated, affecting especially the most vulnerable marine ecosystems.