STATE OF MARINE AND COASTAL
ECOSYSTEMS
April 25, 2002
1) A QUICK SNAPSHOT
PAGE
Forty percent of the world's population lives with 100 kilometers
of a coastline, an area that accounts for only about 20 percent of the
land mass.
map3
Population increase and conversion for development, agriculture,
and aquaculture are reducing mangroves, coastal wetlands, seagrass areas,
and coral reefs at an alarming rate.
map 2
Fish and shellfish provide about a sixth of the animal protein consumed
by people worldwide. A billion people, mostly in developing countries,
depend on fish for their prime source of protein.
Coastal ecosystems have already lost much of their capacity to produce
fish because of overfishing, destructive trawling techniques, and destruction
of nursery habitats.
map 17
Rising pollution levels are associated with increasing use of synthetic
chemicals and fertilizers.
maps 6,7,8, and 9
Goods and Services:
commercial fishing
fish, shellfish, fishmeal, seaweeds, salt and genetic resources
moderate storm impacts, provide human and wildlife habitat,
maintain biodiversity, dilute and treatwastes, provide harbors and
transportation routes, provide employment, provide recreation, and contribute
to aesthetic beauty.
2) SUMMARY ASSESSMENT
State
of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
3) AN INDEPTH LOOK
PAGE
4) MANAGING COASTAL RESOURCES
Case
Study