Coastal management cooperation, enforcement key to avoid pending crisis for millions: ...(report. Say the authors: We believe...)

Say the authors: We believe that use of scientific and traditional knowledge, together with better understanding of the economic value of healthy coastal ecosystems, can help change the political discourse that eventually determines societal pressures.

Although the situation is dire, there is reason for hope. Our understanding of the ecological functioning of the coastal ocean is quite good, and we have a basic kit of useful management tools at our disposal.

Good examples of well-managed coastal environments, and sustainably harvested coastal fisheries occur around the world. The reversal of negative trends and the improvement of water quality in some areas indicate that decline of coastal ecosystems is neither inevitable nor always irreversible.

None of these steps are impossible, but taking them will require a major commitment to change.

According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, 52% of 441 global fishery stocks are fully exploited, 17% are overexploited and 7% are depleted.

Independent assessments indicate that total global fishery yield has been falling since the late 1980s, and that larger species are being progressively fished out.

Some 80% of ocean pollution originates from land-based activities, and, outside Europe and North America, over 80% of sewage enters the coastal ocean untreated. Coastal pollution is of growing concern because coastal populations, their associated cities and industries are rapidly expanding.

Nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters is growing. In some locations, it results in seasonal or permanent anoxic dead zones, the largest at present in the Gulf of Mexico (70,000 square km, seasonally) and the Baltic Sea (a permanent zone up to 100,000 square km in area).

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