International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Oceans stress and sustainability

For most of the past half century, our oceans have been stressed by overfishing, pollution, habitat degradation, nutrient over-enrichment, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Ocean areas affected by these stressors include the world’s Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) which are located in the most highly productive areas of the oceans along the margins of the continents (see Figure 1). They produce 80% of the annual global marine fishery’s landings and contribute an estimated $27.7 trillion in ecosystem services each year to the global economy.

4343: UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea LME Phase II Project

24 Dec 2020

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