UNEP-WCMC

The world's oceans provide goods, services and functions fundamental to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. More than one third of the world’s population lives in coastal areas and small islands, which together make up just 4% of the total land area, and this population is increasing rapidly. Planning for their sustainable use requires a more detailed understanding of the marine environment than is available at present: an understanding that will only become possible through improved levels of monitoring and assessment.

Recent publications and outputs:

Global Marine Assessments: A survey of global and regional assessments and related scientific activities of the marine environment UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series No. 27 2007 The Supporting Database is available at www.unep-wcmc.org/gramed
Seamounts, deep-sea corals and fisheries~ UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series No. 25 2006
In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series No. 24 2006
Our Precious Coasts - Marine Pollution, Climate Change and the Resilience of Coastal Ecosystems 2006

These pages are currently being updated, in the mean time please do email should you wish to contact us at oneocean@unep-wcmc.org